OR the Bucs have an EXTERNAL reason that they will not do more than the reported offer of 2.5 years.
Maybe?
https://www.pewterreport.com/baker-mayfield-bucs-shorter-contract-reason/
The NFL Funding Rule And How It May Be Hurting The Bucs’ Negotiations
The Collective Bargaining Agreement calls for teams to ensure that fully guaranteed money in future years is set aside in an escrow account immediately upon execution of the guarantees. This account has to hold the club’s future fully guaranteed commitments to players, less $15 million. In the case of Baker Mayfield, assuming the two year, $100+ million offer reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN was close to, if not fully guaranteed, then the team would essentially have to set aside $140 million or more – immediately. That would be his current salary for 2026 plus the 2027 and 2028 guaranteed salaries.
AND FOR BADABING
That’s a lot of money to essentially no longer have access to if you are the Glazer family. And it doesn’t count the salary outlays for the rest of the roster for 2026 season. Now imagine if their offer was for more than two new years (three total). Based on comparable contracts – and Fowler reported Mayfield’s representation was citing Jordan Love, Brock Purdy and Trevor Lawrence as the comps he was targeting – all carrying full or year-ahead rolling guarantees into a third new year.
A year-ahead rolling guarantee is a guarantee that takes effect after the initial contract is executed, but a year ahead of when the guarantee is to be paid out.
AND THIS FROM JOSH Q
The Bucs have never committed to a contract where full guarantees would require them to fund escrow for more than two years. Baker Mayfield’s current contract ended up with guarantees in the third year, but his first year’s salary did not go into escrow. The closest has been Vita Vea, who had a year-ahead guarantee of under $7 million for his third new year. But that amount was under the $15 million “deductible” teams get on the escrow account. In 2024 they guaranteed 2025
As it stands, I believe this could be a real part of why the negotiations stalled. And why 2026 will be such a pivotal season for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs.
Unless a delal suddenly materializes, there is definitely a missing piece of the puzzle, something like Mayfield over valuing himself or the Bucs having an external factor holding them back.
I say that because there really isnt really a reliable middle ground option.
You're either letting Mayfield go to FA so you can draft a QB and have a rookie salary QB or you're paying $50+ million over the next 4 or 5 years (or more) for a competent QB. There's trash and rookies scale below Mayfield's current APY and then only Watson, Jones and Darnold before you get into the $51.
So Mayfield is asking for $60 or the B ucs offered an effective 2.5 years and he wants 4 or 5. But if they agreed on the APY and the contract term was the issue, they'd find a compromise because the pay scale is the pay scale.
So, fake "I am not talking after TC" is real, but really dumb OR the Bucs have an EXTERNAL reason that they will not do more than the reported offer of 2.5 years.
it honestly doesn't make sense that Baker's camp wouldn't even counter
cue the posters on here saying, "It must be Todd Bowles! Baker wants out!"
I have to imagine if APY wasn't an issue, it's an easy counter with the length so one might surmise he wanted more, $55 or $60M per year
in terms of length, yeah Bucs pussy footing around with a journeymen/bridge QB offer so 2 years really lack of commitment and Baker most definitely sees this as last "high dollar" pay day opportunity so likely wanted 4 or 5 years
I dont blame Baker for rejecting but to not even counter....wondering where their head is at...particularly coming off his worst season as a Buc.
Licht, "we have the utmost respect for Baker"......yeah ok bud.
And Olaf, they didn't offer more because Baker was mid last year. I dont think our billionaire owners are going poor nor if the Bucs respected Baker enough....they wouldnt get a deal done.
2023 - Playoff winning QB
2024 - 40+ TDs
2025 - Hellen Keller like down the stretch, now all of a sudden those league leading INTs seem sort of fucked up
I'll answer it for him because he would be embarrassed if he did..
Correct.
Shoots his pathetic argument to hell.
Well, depending on which version he’s championing this week.
He flip-flops so much, it’s hard to keep track.
I'll answer it for him because he would be embarrassed if he did...per OvertheCap Zero NFL quarterbacks have exactly $140 million to $150 million fully guaranteed remaining on their contracts for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons.
such a good deal that baker didn’t even counter.
let me guess Todd Bowles 🤡
Uh, WUT?
Uh, WUT?
let's see if we can do a group thought process
1. Bucs offer Mayfield a contract
2. A few posters on here claiming it was a fair to even great contract that no other QB even has
3. Bakers camp didn't even offer a counter
4. Baker publicly critiques Bucs ownership
5. I note that it's clear Baker at the very least wanted a longer term commitment as this is likely his last shot a long-term, high value deal. Certain posters on here debate just to debate. The Todd Bowles comment was a joke but i am sure that will be what some may pivot too as to why he didnt counter....
i mean what is so hard to comprehend. The question is why didnt the Bucs offer Baker a commitment and not a bridge QB deal of 2 years. we are going in circle here but the bottom line is that our "franchise QB" publicly critiqued the ownership so clearly he was not happy with the contract offer....but go ahead and spin it....
I'll answer it for him because he would be embarrassed if he did...per OvertheCap Zero NFL quarterbacks have exactly $140 million to $150 million fully guaranteed remaining on their contracts for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons.
such a good deal that baker didn’t even counter.
that might say more about Baker than the Bucs
I'll answer it for him because he would be embarrassed if he did...per OvertheCap Zero NFL quarterbacks have exactly $140 million to $150 million fully guaranteed remaining on their contracts for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons.
such a good deal that baker didn’t even counter.
that might say more about Baker than the Bucs
Right? That's what elicited my, "Wut"?
Baker can now write his own check with his play. As a fan, I can’t imagine a better scenario for one season. Baker is going to ball. And if he does, the Bucs, not some other team, will pay handsomely for his services going forward.
Not sure where the cloud or haze is with this scenario.
Baker wanted a longer term deal worth more money than the top tier guys. If he delivers, he effectively makes himself 15 million plus a year.
When Baker has bet on himself, he’s done damn well.
Go to your local book, or your draft kings like app, and take Baker on the over for TDs and yards on the season. It’s happening.
Baker can now write his own check with his play. As a fan, I can’t imagine a better scenario for one season. Baker is going to ball. And if he does, the Bucs, not some other team, will pay handsomely for his services going forward.
Not sure where the cloud or haze is with this scenario.
Baker wanted a longer term deal worth more money than the top tier guys. If he delivers, he effectively makes himself 15 million plus a year.
When Baker has bet on himself, he’s done damn well.
Go to your local book, or your draft kings like app, and take Baker on the over for TDs and yards on the season. It’s happening.
i don't think Baker was being unreasonable. Would hardly call Purdy, Love, Lawrence, Hurts, and Goff all "top tier" guys.
When Baker is at his best, he is with that group if not better. He was simply asking for their comps
for all of you to expect Baker to accept a 2 year deal when he is in his prime and his last chance at a big pay day, why would he defer that to age 33 season? No, he wanted it now.
The timing was just a bit off for Baker.
Wins a playoff game in 2023, lands him a 3 year $100M deal
Surpasses 40 TDs in 2024 season, do we got ourselves a top 10 guy? Man, this is when he had his most leverage.
Trips over his dick while making a netflix special, a catalyst for one of the most historic collapse in our franchise history in 2025; yeah sorry bud, but you played yourself out of that leverage.
You hit on right on the head. The Bucs are in a WIN-WIN situation as they get chip on his shoulder, playing for his future Baker....and not a complacent, "hey look at me, Netflix, commercials, Interception...oh my!" Baker. Pay the man if he earns it.
I am in agreement with everyone it is win/win for Baker if he can deliver Mayfield magic for most of the season. I just feel Licht didn't do enough to help out Baker this off season.
Licht was a huge letdown this off season honestly not only with how he is handling contracts but also bringing in talent. The draft is Licth's only saving grace this off season.
I am in agreement with everyone it is win/win for Baker if he can deliver Mayfield magic for most of the season. I just feel Licht didn't do enough to help out Baker this off season.
Licht was a huge letdown this off season honestly not only with how he is handling contracts but also bringing in talent. The draft is Licth's only saving grace this off season.
unfortunately not everyone is in alignment here.
losing Evans will hurt. Thinking Hurst will be the New Evans will shockingly disappoint some.
My biggest pet peeve with the offensive moves was bringing back Cade Otton. There wasn't much out there but i cant get those 2 INTs solely on him out of my head. I guess having him for 3 years is better than a 1 year flyer on Goedert or Njoku?
also, being down your starting guards last year made the offensive ineffective apparently, so what does Licht do about depth? Spends a 5th round pick on a guy? Would say he had a blind spot there. Imagine last year if we had a Robert Hainsey or equivalent available. Not that big of a deal losing Bed Brederson then, eh?
The Bucs should be fine on offense.
the defense should be improved....unless they don't have Vea
the defense should be improved....unless they don't have Vea
you think the defense goes backwards without Vea?
I am in agreement with everyone it is win/win for Baker if he can deliver Mayfield magic for most of the season. I just feel Licht didn't do enough to help out Baker this off season.
Licht was a huge letdown this off season honestly not only with how he is handling contracts but also bringing in talent. The draft is Licth's only saving grace this off season.
unfortunately not everyone is in alignment here.
losing Evans will hurt. Thinking Hurst will be the New Evans will shockingly disappoint some.
My biggest pet peeve with the offensive moves was bringing back Cade Otton. There wasn't much out there but i cant get those 2 INTs solely on him out of my head. I guess having him for 3 years is better than a 1 year flyer on Goedert or Njoku?
also, being down your starting guards last year made the offensive ineffective apparently, so what does Licht do about depth? Spends a 5th round pick on a guy? Would say he had a blind spot there. Imagine last year if we had a Robert Hainsey or equivalent available. Not that big of a deal losing Bed Brederson then, eh?
The Bucs should be fine on offense.
the defense should be improved....unless they don't have Vea
After pre season game 1 the interior OL depth did not show me enough to impress me. No RB reached the Mendoza line of 4 YPC.
Also it could be the use of zone but the Bucs don't have any speedsters to take advantage of this. KG and Tucker are probably better suited for it while Bucky can make it work.
Hurst is a home run draft selection in my view, but his game is way different than Evans as he is more of what Gage would have added to the offense which is size down the seem or boundary. Evans game was more than just downfield acrobatics as he was also a chain mover too. Hurst showed some of that in college too but with Godwin and Egbuka they have that part of the game covered. Look for Hurst and McMillan to be the go to guys downfield along with Tez.
I am not buying into what is happening on offense because the collapse didn't force enough improvements on that side of the unit from my view. Defense was arguably worse but they may end up the better unit not only because of picking up Bain. But also Scott, Trotter Jr. , finding Garnes and picking up Robinson, Anzalone, Rozeboom, Muhammad. And brining back Roches.
After pre season game 1 the defense looks improved enough where Mayfield doesn't have to be a hero with Mayfield magic. But the depth on offense like OL and TE is concerning.
Also the Bucs lack of big back might be an issue too to grind out yards when needed. We will see.
Bringing back Otton from my view and signing KG was to ensure that Mayfield is protected more so than anything else. I just don't understand why Licht ignored interior OL as that is was had let to a lot Mayfield's injuries throughout his career and his stature.
