It could indicate that the Bucs were not negotiating, and they didn’t want a long-term deal, or that someone in the ownership/front office still doesn’t think Baker has shown enough.
If true, those are problematic issues that may/may not be negotiated through.
yes good point and sort of what Kirwan was alluding to. As you say, definitely "more in this that we dont know."
I think - and its all just guessing - but the fact that the Bucs took the time to get their own version out and expressed displeasure over Mayfield comments is to me more consistent with the Bucs feeling that they were on their way to reaching a compromise and that Mayfield pulled out. Again, the fake deadline from Mayfield and then the careful walkbacks from Mayfield, ie they can still talk with my agent, also suggest to me that is the case, but who is to say?
I am not alone in that take, but fools come in bunches too.
I see the Baker contract squabble as bad for both sides.
You have the side that says Baker hasn't done enough to warrant that kind of contract he is seeking. Fair point. However, I do think he is more than capable of playing at that level. It is that he is limited in his ability to carry the team on his own. He's not a Tom Brady type. So if there are injuries around him or he struggles or if there are struggling players around him, then you see the "Bad Baker" play.
You also have the side that says Baker is the only option they have at QB. And that could be somewhat true. Let's face it, prior to Tom coming down to help deliver a Super Bowl, our QB position has hardly ever been stellar. Let's say that the team decided Baker isn't worthy of the contract he is wanting and let him walk. What does the QB position look like 2 or 3 years from now in Tampa? I am fearful of that based on years of sample sizes where we head into the draft thinking we were getting the next best thing and end up with an entertaining fool who likes to eat W's or a guy cross-playing as Michael Jackson that was never right in the head to being with.
And while we are on the subject, I think former players like Suh (although I love him and his violent play) and Gerald McCoy need to shut their collective pieholes. They aren't a part of the negotiation and quite frankly, McCoy can shut the f up forever....what a farce that guy turned out to be.
It really is a what have you done for me lately league (sans chiefs thanking Mahomes for the 3 Super Bowl wins with his thank you contract)
2023 - Baker A grade (first non Brady playoff win in 2 decades)
2024 - Baker A grade (pissed down his leg in playoff loss but threw for over 40 TDs and a top 5 offense)
2025 - Baker D grade (catalyst/leader of the 2-7 collapse, played very poorly in last 11 games, basically 1 to 1 TD:INT ratio)
just very unfortunate for Baker that some of the worst football of his career happened most recently
It really is a what have you done for me lately league (sans chiefs thanking Mahomes for the 3 Super Bowl wins with his thank you contract)
2023 - Baker A grade (first non Brady playoff win in 2 decades)
2024 - Baker A grade (pissed down his leg in playoff loss but threw for over 40 TDs and a top 5 offense)
2025 - Baker D grade (catalyst/leader of the 2-7 collapse, played very poorly in last 11 games, basically 1 to 1 TD:INT ratio)
just very unfortunate for Baker that some of the worst football of his career happened most recently
lol
Well NFL are about future play, right? informed partially by the past, no doubt. Even impacted by external pressures (why Mayfield spoke up, wrongly in my view). Bad advice or ignoring advice.
Vea doesnt probably have a true choice about speaking up, holding in etc. Even though he "signed the contract" bwhahahaha
I see the Baker contract squabble as bad for both sides.
You have the side that says Baker hasn't done enough to warrant that kind of contract he is seeking. Fair point. However, I do think he is more than capable of playing at that level. It is that he is limited in his ability to carry the team on his own. He's not a Tom Brady type. So if there are injuries around him or he struggles or if there are struggling players around him, then you see the "Bad Baker" play.
You also have the side that says Baker is the only option they have at QB. And that could be somewhat true. Let's face it, prior to Tom coming down to help deliver a Super Bowl, our QB position has hardly ever been stellar. Let's say that the team decided Baker isn't worthy of the contract he is wanting and let him walk. What does the QB position look like 2 or 3 years from now in Tampa? I am fearful of that based on years of sample sizes where we head into the draft thinking we were getting the next best thing and end up with an entertaining fool who likes to eat W's or a guy cross-playing as Michael Jackson that was never right in the head to being with.
And while we are on the subject, I think former players like Suh (although I love him and his violent play) and Gerald McCoy need to shut their collective pieholes. They aren't a part of the negotiation and quite frankly, McCoy can shut the f up forever....what a farce that guy turned out to be.
the Bucs (ie the Glazers) should want the deal done because they dont want the perception to be that they will n ot pay a QB when the time comes. One of the Glazers was even out ahead of that perception giving a rare public okay to paying Mayfield what he deserves ie the market rate for QBs
so . . .
1) hyper emotional baker went too far in his negotiating nonsense (fake dealing, press conference)
2) external factors at play (the Kirwan theory)
The thing is these things often come together and everyone sings kumbaya
but your point yes not good for either side
PFT headline today "Mayfield’s comments have created an ‘ugly vibe'"
This organization - ie the owners - are getting alligator arms. They never been out in a situation where a player would suggest he is worth more than they think he’s due.
I’ll need a fact check on this - but I don’t believe this franchise has ever extended a QB, or offered a 2nd/3rd contract to a starting QB in the 50 year history of this franchise.
Theyre getting tight, they’d prefer Baker just take a 2 year deal and trust them to review it again in two years.
Theyre ignoring market dynamics - it’s causing them doubt - they hoped to strong arm him. Baker used the only option he had - and he said it was only going to be for one day. He thanked the organization, he supported teammates, his HC, the staff. Then he spoke directly to the finished value calculation of the negotiations thus far.
We don’t have to like it, but he rest the table and he’s not happy that he felt he had to.
He’s not buying the narrative that he is only valued by his last 9 games.
He has the chance many fans and the owners wanted to give him. He’s going to give his all to prove them wrong. Don’t be sad when he takes so much money that you have to start cutting guys to make the economics work.
On to Cincinnati (or Los Angeles).
I’ll need a fact check on this - but I don’t believe this franchise has ever extended a QB, or offered a 2nd/3rd contract to a starting QB in the 50 year history of this franchise.
Tom Brady, at least, got a second contract. Baker actually signed a second contract too.
Thanks Biggsy, I should have qualified it with “any other QB - not named Tom Brady…”I’ll need a fact check on this - but I don’t believe this franchise has ever extended a QB, or offered a 2nd/3rd contract to a starting QB in the 50 year history of this franchise.
Tom Brady, at least, got a second contract. Baker actually signed a second contract too.
But my point is made.
In 50 stinking years and two ownership groups.
Does anyone think this group knows what they’re looking at in assessing QB’s?
Its a short answer.
Sam Darnold didn’t need to be perfect, in fact, Baker threw more touchdowns and fewer interceptions - and 355 yards less than Darnold. Darnold had to be competent, the Glazers put Baker in a position where he had to be perfect.
Simple. They played hardball negotiators because they’re scared…but they played hardball without a plan, and without being prepared. They have no other option at QB, so if Baker balls out they have to pay him. Sure they can tag him, but what if the guy who sat out a year after transferring to Oklahoma without a scholarship - decides he doesn’t want your $43m to $53m to be on your team anymore?
But if Baker balls out and the Gkazers get religion… you’re going to have to take a knife to your roster. This season could have avoided that.
On to Cincinnati, or LA, PITT, NYJ, or Arizona, your choice.
Should be fun.
Fundamentally the inconsistency with how they handled this off season is what concerns me more. If Mayifled is your guy you need to go all out to help him and find out IF he is your guy you want to commit for a 3 or 4 year deal. Re upping Otton and signing KG helps. However is that enough given OL and DB injuries have derailed or slowed down every Bucs seasons since 2021? Even 2020 team had injuries but that 2020 team had enough depth to overcome it.
I just think asking for Mayfield magic over 17 game season is a bit much as most other QBs in his peer group are not asked to do as much. With that said if Baker plays average ball during his worst this team will still win 8 to 9 games.
The problem with the Bucs wasn't that they had injuries to offensive linemen, it was that the Bucs spent so much money on the top 7 players that they had no money to sign capable backups.
They have no other option at QB, so if Baker balls out they have to pay him.
Actually, they don't.
Barring a trip to the NFCCG, this entire coaching staff (including Licht), needs to be shown the door.
New FO, new GM, new HC, etc.
They should be able to make their own decision on what they want to do with their future roster, including QB.
Sure they can tag him, but what if the guy who sat out a year after transferring to Oklahoma without a scholarship - decides he doesn’t want your $43m to $53m to be on your team anymore?
At this juncture in his career, there is no chance that Baker would sit out if he were tagged.
Now, if he wanted to put Tampa in a tough spot (assuming they tag him next offseason), he could simply play on the tag and not negotiate a new deal. Make Tampa eat what would essentially be an estimated $80M cap hit. Thus, forcing the team to have to pull a number of moves to just get to cap compliance, signing the 2027 rookie class, operating costs, etc.
2027 Free Agency? Lol...yeah, you can forget about that.
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Now, all this being said, I think the Glazers offer was more than fair.
Remember, this last year of his contract wasn't guaranteed.
So, they guarantee this year AND offer 2 more years at over $100M+, essentially guaranteed.
That means between the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons; he'd be in the Top 6-7 quarterbacks as it pertains to guaranteed money.
I also don't fault the Glazers for keeping it on the shorter side for obvious reasons.
This was a win-win offer for both sides.
The problem with the Bucs wasn't that they had injuries to offensive linemen, it was that the Bucs spent so much money on the top 7 players that they had no money to sign capable backups.
That is one way to frame it. On the second part, I know cap is not cash but according to one site for 2025 that top 7 for cap was:
Mayfield
Evans
Vea (?)
Reddick
Godwin
Dean
Wirfs
They got very limited performance out of those guys
As fans I am not sure things could have worked out more perfectly.
Baker playing every game for an opportunity to break to bank??? Yes please.
As fans I am not sure things could have worked out more perfectly.
Baker playing every game for an opportunity to break to bank??? Yes please.
In all fairness, it's better than the retard we had playing for a contract in 2019.
I wonder how much he made CB's in extensions that were in their contract year.
FWIW
"Pewter Report’s resident salary cap expert Josh Queipo revealed that the Bucs probably offered a pretty robust offer of a two-year extension in the range of $51.75 million to $55 million per season, while Mayfield was likely looking for at least a three-year extension through 2029. The disparity is probably over the 2029 season and perhaps not having the contract fully guaranteed, which Mayfield likely would want."
