$40 Million Or $45 Million For Baker Mayfield?
January 18th, 2024
The consensus is Baker Mayfield, whose contract expires after this season, made himself a fortune with his regular season performance and an even fatter bag after a dominant Monday showing in the playoffs.
But how much cash will Mayfield command, and how much more will Monday’s success add to his imminent contract demands?
Astute Amazon NFL analyst and former Bucs, 49ers and Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was on his podcast this week saying Mayfield will command at least $40 million per year, and possibly as much as $45 million.
It sounds outrageous, but it’s not considering won-nothing, done-little quarterback Daniel Jones of the Giants signed a four-year, $160 million deal with more than half that cash guaranteed. The Jones money is very similar to what Saints QB Derek Carr got in free agency last March.
The quarterback Baker Mayfield just outplayed, Jalen Hurts, earns $50 million annually.
At 28 years old, Mayfield is sure to demand a fat deal. He’s in his prime and should stay there for at least three more seasons. He turns 29 in April.
Might the Bucs slap the franchise tag on Mayfield for 2024? Joe would consider it. It would be in the neighborhood of $35 million for the one-year deal. Remember, a player can always be tagged and the parties can continue negotiating a multiyear contract.
Joe can’t stop wondering if the Falcons will get in the ear of Mayfield’s agent behind the scenes.
They could use him, and Atlanta has a lot offer when it comes to weapons and a running game. Plus, Atlanta would have to realize how driving Mayfield’s price up for the Bucs could hurt Tampa Bay.
January 18th, 2024 at 10:47 am
Oof, that’s alot, I love baker but maybe franchise him to see if he can do it again? THEN back up the Brinks truck
January 18th, 2024 at 10:49 am
The other NFC South teams would love for the Bucs to sign Baker at 40+ mill
Belichick wants nothing to do w/ Baker, trust me lol
January 18th, 2024 at 10:50 am
No team but the Bucs would throw that kind of crazy money at Mayfield.
January 18th, 2024 at 10:57 am
“No team but the Bucs would throw that kind of crazy money at Mayfield.”
LOL, Joe literally gave two examples of teams giving lesser players the same type of deal.
And when have the Bucs ever overpaid for a QB? Maybe it’s time they start.
January 18th, 2024 at 10:57 am
Can’t tag him and keep Winfield
January 18th, 2024 at 10:58 am
We get to Championship Game $120 mil/4 years, we win Super Bowl $160mil 4 years guaranteed
January 18th, 2024 at 11:01 am
“ No team but the Bucs would throw that kind of crazy money at Mayfield.”
Thats where your wrong, the market for QBs is at an all time high and teams would absolutely break the bank for a guy who by all measures just had a top 10 season and a better statistical season than Pat Mahomes.
QBs dont grow on tree in the NFL, lots of teams who feel they’re a QB away would have no issue paying Mayfield.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:01 am
Would not pay a journeyman QB that money unless he plays well two years in a row. Remember we paid Shaq big money( but not as much as Mayfield may get ) and he didn’t have a season like his 19.5 sacks.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:02 am
Mayfield has played good. I cant say great but he has been good.
That said i m not sure he is worth that kind of money.
If you give him that money you going to lose some important players and i dont think Mayfield is a game changer.
I think he has earned the right to be the QB but not in that price range.
Go Bucs
January 18th, 2024 at 11:02 am
No, just no.
Yes he played his heart out this season and a lot of luck rolled our way.
He is still inconsistent and his long balls still have to be more accurate.
Mainly I don’t see him being able to keep being so damn enthusiastic. He never has before.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:03 am
Is not this an excellent example of “prove it?”
January 18th, 2024 at 11:04 am
All this speculation means nothing till the market opens in March. At least Bakes is not under investigation for bad things like Watson was. His team mates love him, he gives 100% all the time and his stats are top 10. Furthermore, he is yet to have a bad playoff game. He played great in both 2021 tilts.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:05 am
A year? You’re out of your mind. Franchise tag probably best way to go.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:06 am
It’ll be ALOT more !
January 18th, 2024 at 11:10 am
Football is the ultimate team sport. There is no way the Bucs should tie up that much cap space for one position. I would rather draft a rookie or start TRASK.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:11 am
If the tag wasn’t an option those numbers make more sense imo. Geno Smith had a similar season/situation and got 3 years $75m max but he is a couple years older (33 now)
I’m feeling like 3 years and $30-35m per year makes sense for everyone. Maybe 3 years even $100m.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:11 am
Tag em up
January 18th, 2024 at 11:13 am
LMAO Only a dummy would pay Baker that much. Something Im sure the ReTodd is considering.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:13 am
The name of the game is wining the championship game. All these Baker talks will cease with a loss to Lions. Super Bowls are won in playoffs not in the regular season. Unless you become Vikings with Kirk Cousins. Baker hasn’t performed and hasn’t defeated any quality teams this year in the NFL Toilet Division to earn that kind of money. Yeah, he should be considered if he goes out and win the next two games against the elite playoff teams. Other than that he could be back to his journeyman status as soon this Sunday. Rebuild with young and through draft as others. Stop. There are no easy shortcuts to win SB.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:15 am
It’s crazy how well Licht is doing man. Like we definitely need upgrades in certain areas but I feel like confident he can just do that in the draft and use the cap space to continue to retain our core talent and make minimal splash signings.
Wtf has happened haha. What a change from what it’s been like for so many years
January 18th, 2024 at 11:15 am
That’s a lot to stomach. Hate to lose the guy and be at square one but if they want to win in Tampa, hopefully they stick together at a reasonable price somewhere around 30. 4 years 120 million to stay in Tampa looks reasonable to me.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:15 am
Winfield and Wirfs need that money.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:16 am
I am now a Baker Mayfield fan. Having said that I’m glad the Bucs have the franchise tag to play.
Gambling 35 million for a season is worth it in today’s QB market.
Nothing against Baker but one of the things I love most about him is his courage and willingness to give up his body. That is great while it’s happening but long term it means a GREAT risk of injury. Baker’s already had one major injury.
I’m really tired of the way the NFL’s salary cap is done. I agree with the “concept” but the execution sucks. Stop allowing the BS tricks that ALL teams are forced to do with accounting tricks to work around the Cap that also insure a team can mortgage it’s long term future with a single mistake!!!
Set the cap, make the salaries annual with all bonuses reached against the cap.
No more deferrals or whatever hell the other confusing crap is. NO team should start a season 80 million behind another team!
January 18th, 2024 at 11:18 am
$40 million dollars a year for an “average at best” quarterback like Baker Mayfield?! FOH! Baker Mayfield shouldn’t take up more than 10% of our salary cap because he needs many “above average” players on his team to win. So a 4 year, $100 million dollar, $25 million dollars a year contract is what we need to give Baker so we have enough money to pay the other players we need to win Super Bowls.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:18 am
40-45 is crippling. Geno Smith, a reasonable comp, got 25 per year. I’d say it’s 25-30 over three years. But don’t bother if you can’t also sign Mike Evans. Evans is priority number 1. If Evans isn’t around, should probably just draft a QB and start over.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:18 am
32 mil or less or let him walk. EASY decision
January 18th, 2024 at 11:20 am
I think they’ll work something out. Baker really likes it here and his teammates. And he’s probably grateful for the shot the Bucs gave him.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:20 am
It actually makes more financial sense to create a 5-6 year deal ( 200 mil, 120 guaranteed). It spreads the cost out over more time. After 3 years , no guaranteed money. You lock up a qb in his prime, and actually save $.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Finally someone is making an accurate comparison. Baker Mayfield= Daniel Jones.
A team one ups the next and soon all of them are overpaid.
Like the guy that starts at one company, gets a couple raises, jumps to another company for more money, gets a couple raises, and does it all again.
Pretty soon they are making 30 and ain’t worth the 10 they started at. Considering every bump was a raise, not advancement, and don’t give any more or effort or production.
Pay him 50. he has better numbers than most. This Year. Personally I think he’s like a Chihuahua. Acts tough but no match for a big dog. One big hit from a smaller player almost put him out. Won’t be the first player being paid a ton and not playing.
I believe that the Giants are regretting giving Jones that deal but hindsight is 20/20.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Joe,
You are counting your chickens before they hatch with such articles. You better hope we win this Sunday with good version of Baker to back up or continue with this type of articles. Otherwise all these NFL bodies of Baker including you will be eating crows if the inconsistent version of Baker shows up.
Qb’s are measured based on wining quality games and championships not NFC Toilet South with 1W-6W against good teams.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:23 am
I would say 25-30 Million not sure he is worth more than that. The defense is a big reason why we are where we are in the playoffs. Yes Baker had played good but we have also seen the side of him where he throws 2 interceptions and only 150 yards in a game.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:24 am
My greatest fear is over paying this guy. I like Baker, I hope we sign him, but he’s not Tom Brady. We’d be ignoring the fact that he DOES NOT elevate other players, players elevate him. Meaning? Without Evans and Godwin, his season would have been very different… Btw, the year he made the playoffs in Cleveland, his second best season of his career, he had Beckham, Landry, Odell, Hooper, Njoku and Peoples-Jones… and a stellar running game led by Chubb. This guy is only as special as his skill players. Think Brock Purdy.
Also, these QB contracts are killing football teams. There are a slew of franchises that have cornered themselves into ridiculous contracts they can’t get out of unless they are willing to pay more money to do so. We sign Baker for $40/45M, we are stuck with him until that contract expires and/or if the Glazers decide to pay the difference to send him to another team.
A smart “team” player knows his limitations without skill players, he asks for $40/45M per… I say let him walk to find another new coach and system to play in. Reminder: We have his blind side to take care of as well this offseason. You’re not winning championships paying your QB the Kings Ransom. Ask Mahomes how everything is working in KC? His starting WR talent is on par with Trey Palmer and David Moore, how’s that working for him? Granted he still has them in the playoffs, but that team looks the weakest I’ve seen since he took over under center, and it’s unlikely they make it back to the Super Bowl, and yet this is a guy who elevates other players games.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:24 am
Yup. 5 years 200 milski and tag evans, sign Winfield, David, make offer to deva.Negotiate Jensen, shaq,
January 18th, 2024 at 11:29 am
Carr is 0-1 in his only playoff game, got $35m. Danny Dimes 1-1, got $40. Baker 1-1 with CLE, currently 1-0 with Bucs….so $40-$45 seems reasonable. Especially since Jones was a one hit wonder, now Mayfield has done it with 2 different teams. Adds credibility
January 18th, 2024 at 11:29 am
@David… sadly I agree with you on your comments… this one time, most of the stuff you spin is just horrible. You’re not good fan bro.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:30 am
Use the transition tag on Baker – $31M for one season.
Let’s see him duplicate success.
How many of these big dollar QB deals have worked out so far?
– Watson
– Murray
– D. Jones
– G. Smith
– Wilson
– Rodgers
– Tannihill
– Herbert
– Dak
– Carr
Let’s not make the same mistake as the above teams have made and pay 20-25% of our entire cap to Baker Mayfield.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:31 am
So because other teams made bad decisions we have to also? Are we playing follow the leader or are we trying to be smart and win championships? Some of you are insane.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:33 am
That’s too rich. Using Daniel Pennies as an example isn’t a good idea. Sure he got 40M a year but everyone can see that was a huge mistake. Even the Giants who might draft his replacement in the first round can see that. Repeating the mistakes of others isn’t the path to success. After the playoff game, Baker has 18 starts and played well in 8 games and didn’t play well in 10 of them. I’m all for a 2-3 year deal at 25M-30M a year with incentives. I’m hopeful his play can improve with continuity, something he hasn’t had his whole career, and I think he believes that too. You won’t be able to resign Mike Evans, AW Jr, and LVD if Baker is making 40-45M a season
January 18th, 2024 at 11:33 am
There is not a QB in the league worth that money. And if Baker wants that much, he should go elsewhere.
This draft is loaded with QBs to be had that will be way cheaper and possibly just as good.
Name me one signature win over an opponent not reeling in a death spiral he’s beaten as a Buc? Don’t give me the Packers because they aren’t really that good.
He’s an interchangeable part that doesn’t deserve generational wealth.
Spend that money on weapons to put around whoever the QB is next year.
Let the Falcons bust the bank for him and watch how it goes for them.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:36 am
Baker is not even the younger version Kirk Cousin to handicap a team under their salary caps. Bucs will not offer a dime to Baker unless he gets them at least to NFC Championship. Baker has no winning record and he easily could be one and done next season as a journeyman.
1. Baker win the next two games and the teams will take their chances on you in free market no matter how you earn that big money. I will have no problem with that.
2. Baker you lose this Sunday. I am sure TB will retain you as his son.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:42 am
Imagine the compensatory pick when we let him walk…. or franchise him and let someone sign him if he’s worth that much and use both #1 picks
January 18th, 2024 at 11:43 am
Gotta tag Mayfield and make sure he’s legit and sign the others to longterm deals
January 18th, 2024 at 11:44 am
Jump on Winny and franchise Mayfield as he has never had 2 good seasons in a row . I like him and worth a gamble at 1 season and 35Mill but 40to45 is crazy
January 18th, 2024 at 11:47 am
Tag him and see if he can perform the same with the same players for a second year.
Too much inconsistency in his past but love what he has done this year for the most part.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:47 am
Why did all the qb mentioned by marine get paid? Not for the performance, but for potential up side. Hindsight doesn’t factor, the market does. Every contract is a gamble. You pay a qb who gets you in the playoffs. Now, the Watson contract was stupid.( too much guaranteed). Too many factors contribute to the success ( injury, led by poor coaching, etc) is Herbert not worth his deal? Josh Allen? Neither have a Super Bowl… does your qb give you a reasonable chance for a decent playoff run? Those qbs get paid .
January 18th, 2024 at 11:48 am
LOL…. you fools have never probably negotiated anything over a monthly car payment or house payment. All of you throwing number around like you are big GM football men. The market will pay what the market pays and this is his chance at generational wealth. Don’t tell me what you would pay if you don’t have the millions it is going to take to sign someone. Leave it up to management and live with the decision. BTW, nothing you say here is going to convince an excellent GM of anything.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:54 am
Joe,
This is the second time you are re-directing comments from Richard Sherman to support your takes on Baker. Are there any other resources that you can utilize to spin these pro-Baker articles besides Richard S. or Ex-Bucs players ?
As per your article early in the season, Richard Sherman is the same NFL Expert who was so high on Baker during the training camp as Bucs collapsed from 3-1 to 4-7 while losing three home games in a row at home due to really poor qb plays by Baker.
Bucs limped into the playoffs mostly with their strong defense all season long not by a break out performance by a journeyman that desreve $45M/yr.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:54 am
David Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 11:13 am
The name of the game is wining the championship game. All these Baker talks will cease with a loss to Lions. Super Bowls are won in playoffs not in the regular season. Unless you become Vikings with Kirk Cousins. Baker hasn’t performed and hasn’t defeated any quality teams this year in the NFL Toilet Division to earn that kind of money. Yeah, he should be considered if he goes out and win the next two games against the elite playoff teams. Other than that he could be back to his journeyman status as soon this Sunday. Rebuild with young and through draft as others. Stop. There are no easy shortcuts to win SB.
^^^^^^^^^
Aren’t you the same guy that said the Bucs would get throttled by the Eagles? Do you honestly think the Bucs won’t want Baker back, even if they lose to the Lions? I’m pretty sure you’ll be proven WRONG AGAIN.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:54 am
Yeah it’s gonna be hard to figure out what to do with Mayfield.
If he plays well against Detroit but we still lose, that’s ok….
You have no HISTORICAL consistency with him, so Licht needs to stay away from a long-term deal right now…
Yeah, I don’t like the franchise tag idea either….
If he plays ok, I’m thinking 2 year extension for $60-$65 million with 1/2 guaranteed……
If he blows up next year, you can get out of it….
In the meantime draft a QB to groom, and you got Trask who has greatly improved…
January 18th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
35 Million in a location without incom tax is within the ball park of 40 million with income tax especially when you consider outside endorsment deals.
As a Baker fan great for him but as a buc’s fan – too rich especially at 45 million
Citing all those Qbs who got it and are not in the playofsf?
isn’t that a good reaon to NOT follow in their footsteps?
Still premature though. He’s earned in the 30s already. If we beat the lions and hang tough in a conference title game – theres an argument to be made.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
BakerFan
“The market will pay what the market pays and this is his chance at generational wealth.”
Damn, I didn’t know 3 years 75 million with incentives isn’t generational wealth. That inflation sure is a B
January 18th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ESPN, is seems anyway, created the “You are what your las game says you are.”
I always liked the Bill Parcels’: “You are what your record says you are (Paraphrase)”
The ESPN way of looking at the world with regard to evaluating football teams and players is designed to “have something to talk about all week.” Meaning: they conveniently weight-heavily each particular team’s current-game performance in estimating that team’s overall prospects for eventually winning their division and playoff chances, etc. If they (ESPN) didn’t approach their method of commentary in their “way,” a way that tends to ignore the previous-bad-games of a team, they’d basically be left with having to say: “Well, good game, but we’ll just have to see the final record for the season before we can determine how good this team really is, back to you Skippy.”
That doesn’t exactly create a lot of excitement with which to draw viewers’ attention. Instead, the coverage is set-up each Monday for intense hyperbole as: “After that performance, dose anyone doubt that Dallas will finally do it and zip through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl this year!”
And you can be sure there will be plenty that -will- doubt it, and, not doubt it, all week long on the various shows of ESPN; until the next game, of course.
A team’s management doesn’t have to negotiate a quarterback’s contract they way a sports news outlet manages their commentary-momentum. The Buccaneers’ management can point-out the opportunity they offered Baker-in-limbo, back in the 2023 off-season, and say: just based on the division win, and the great Eagles playoff win, alone, we’ll give you 5 times your current salary and overlook the season-ending, sub-par, Saints and Panther (although it was a win) performances; that may have been due to playing-hurt-injuries.
So, that’s 20 million.
If Baker and the Buccaneers go any deeper in the playoffs, holy crap! I don’t know!
January 18th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
@ Let em bake
“is Herbert not worth his deal? Josh Allen? Neither have a Super Bowl…”
No – I don’t believe Herbert is worth the money he is currently making.
Josh Allen – yes. But did you see Josh Allen on my list? – No.
You Baker fan bois act as if I’m saying the Bucs should just let Baker go or something. That’s not what I am saying at all.
Like you mentioned – The market will dictate what Baker gets paid. However the Bucs cap situation in 2024 is going to be very tight.
Do you want to re-sign Mike Evans, Winfield, Wirfs, LVD, McClaughlin? You think these guys will come cheap?
I would like to retain Baker but only if the price is right.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:07 pm
He had one of his best receivering corp during his career this year. Still not sold that he can further elevate to be Super Bowl worthy. 160 mil got Dallas Dak and you see where that has got them.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
David Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Qb’s are measured based on wining quality games and championships not NFC Toilet South with 1W-6W against good teams.
^^^^^^^^^^
What’s your definition of a good team? The Bucs beat 2 playoff teams (Green Bay and Philly), and 2 teams with winning records (New Orleans and Jacksonville).
January 18th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Sign Baker. Sign Winfield. Tag Big Mike. And we need to also sign Tristan. Personally, I would trade Davis or Dean to free up some cap space. Need to rid the Shaq Barrett deal as well. I think the interesting one will be Deva White.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Dom Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
BakerFan
“The market will pay what the market pays and this is his chance at generational wealth.”
Damn, I didn’t know 3 years 75 million with incentives isn’t generational wealth. That inflation sure is a B
………………………………………………………………….
What sounds better to you if someone comes at him for 4yrs. 120Million. What would you do? I believe if the Bucs beat Lions that is what his market will be. I don’t understand enough how teams can restructure deals to meet salary caps, but it seems that Bucs GM is a master and there are a few others that seem to always get it done.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:10 pm
If Baker is smart and wants to win, he’ll take a nice paybump and allow the team to afford to renew Evans and sign other key players. Seriously, what is it you want, to be a gazillionaire or to win a championship? Frankly, if get paid 15-20 million one year, you shouldn’t have to work another day in your life if you have half an ounce of sense.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:10 pm
20-25M for baker or let him walk and hopefully someone gives him a big deal. Sign Russell Wilson for cheap and let’s see what he can do with these playmakers.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Baker has earned, and is worth, a solid contract. We should hope he is willing to do like Brady; accept a modest amount in exchange for a roster full of weapons and solid line. If Baker is smart, he’ll live below his means and invest properly.
Brady and Licht showed us how it is done. Get those weapons and line, Baker will perform like a top-level QB.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
The biggest thing Mayfield needs to understand & is expect is that Licht needs to have the funds to sign guys that have already performed for the Bucs historically…
1) Resign Winfield Jr (hopefully stay away from franchise tag)
2) Resign Mike Evans (I’m thinking 3 year deal)
3) Resign Lavonte David (I’m thinking 2 year deal if he still wants to play & doesn’t retire)
4) Extend Wirfs this year??? (That’s the question!!)
Can’t totally handicap the Bucs salary cap with a selfish monster deal for Mayfield when he doesn’t have the team history that the other players have…..
I’d love to see him take 2 year extension for 50 million with 1/2 guaranteed..
If Licht can pull this off, that would be sweet!!
January 18th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Good take SPBF.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
@Lombardi Lenny… Bill is on record of loving Mayfield during the draft process..
January 18th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Some of you are on the other side of crazy
Baker doesnt owe the bucs squat fo rthe opportunity of this year. 4 mill on a one year deal was no great vote of confidence
January 18th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Bake will take less money to stay with Bucs even though there WILL BE other teams offering more.. Stability trumps money for him. He’s all about the team and signing a deal that allows management to keep/acquire top talent. A lot of folks in Tampa taking this man for granted.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Please pardon the typos; the software doesn’t allow for scrolling in the writing box for proofreading.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Go Bucs
January 18th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
hes a job hopper. he’s been on like 12 teams lol
a job hopper has one good year and demands the same as proven players with stability. he is still a HUGE gamble!!
no way in hell he gets 40 mill.
maybe 20 mill…and that would be being kind.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
David, as I said in a reply to you a couple of posts down, the least Baker will come in will be 30 per year. Likely higher from what I’m reading now. If your barometer for paying a quarterback well is winning a super bowl, then how does that explain paying the Allen’s, the cousins, the Jones, and I could name quite a few others? It’s The market. It’s the economics of the NFL. Whether you like it or not. I don’t like it either but it is what it is.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
@Baker Fan
No one is going to give Baker a 4 year deal after a having a solid year on the 4th team he played on in a year. But the 30M a year range is within the 25-30M I think he’s worth. He’s been a B- to B level QB this season. Based on his play this year he deserves a mid tier QB deal like Jimmy G or Geno Smith got last year. No excellent GM is paying Baker 40-45M a year. That GM is going to end up getting fired in 2-3 years. If there is a team out there willing to give him 40-45M then good for him and let him go. That’s all some of us are saying. He’s only getting that type of money if he wins the Super Bowl, which at that point sure he’d deserve it, granted he didn’t get carried to it
January 18th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
That’s not true Tony Marks, I have to imagine Baker is willing to take a team friendly team for the franchise that has literally revived his career when no one else was willing to take a chance on him to be their starter.
He’s repeatedly stated numerous times that he loves organization and city.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
Tony Marks, I said that could be the Management’s negotiating-position, not mine.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
That’s more than Brady made. I seriously doubt he get anything close to that. Maybe 25K a year but most like in the teens.
It is all hype to get the Bucs to hit their CAP
January 18th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
TheMIGHTYVH…what team wants Shaq now?
January 18th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Last year at this time, everybody had written Mayfield off as yet another 1st round bust….the Bucs were the only team that saw his potential and gave him a shot.
Your crazy if you think Mayfield doesnt value that
January 18th, 2024 at 12:27 pm
Licht will sign Mayfield to a manageable contract. If you paid attention earlier in the year he mentioned Baker has shown he can play “at a high level”. His best year was 2020 and he won a playoff game at Pittsburgh. He had better numbers this year and won a playoff game. Now go to your safe space with some crayons and blanky David, unfortunately Bowles and Baker will both be back next year. Trask can sit the bench and go seek his fortune the following year
January 18th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
The transition tag allows NFL players to retain any impending unrestricted free agents for the upcoming season. Applying the transition tag allows the team the first right of refusal to match any offer given to the player during free agency.
If a player is given the transition tag, he can still negotiate a contract with a new team in free agency. However, if that team offers a deal, the team that tagged him can choose to match that offer. If they do so, the player must sign with his original team.
Baker should be tagged.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Raiders may try to steal Mayfield and Canales in a package deal
January 18th, 2024 at 12:39 pm
Dom Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
@Baker Fan
No one is going to give Baker a 4 year deal after a having a solid year on the 4th team he played on in a year.
……………………………………………………………………………
Time will tell, but if you don’t think they will then I am sure it won’t happen, I will make sure to tell him that when the offers start rolling in.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Doosh….THX coming from you it’s a real compliment.
LetemBake…”is Herbert not worth his deal?”
If the rumors about Harbaugh to the Chargers are true we’re about to find out.
I’m not enough of a junkie to see that much West Coast action. Herbert seems to have talent, not sure the Chargers have their act together though. IF they sign Harbaugh and give him the control he will obviously demand we’ll see what happens.
I pray Harbaugh goes to LA and NOT Atlanta!!!
January 18th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Alanbucsfan Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Raiders may try to steal Mayfield and Canales in a package deal
………………………………………………………………………………..
I totally agree with that. That franchise has a history of doing that, in fact Brady wanted to go there. remember “they going to keep that m’fer” comment he made. I don’t think Canales will go, but I do think that is a possible landing site for Mayfield. No income tax and a lot of money besides football floating around. Raider Nation would embrace him unlike Bucs fickel fans.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
The transition tag…..
Marine I understand the concept, but would a team like Atlanta just try to fool around and drive the price up, putting them in a situation of heads we win, tails you lose.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
It’s hard to know who’s gonna offer what. I know this he didn’t do well in Carolina, and had his limitations in Cleveland. He’s a great fit here, as we have good players. So there gonna be some back and forth, so time will tell. If it were me, which it is not; I’d sit back and watch licht and team negotiate a fair and equitable deal for both sides, and move on. Having said that it would be the first negotiation of many.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:52 pm
@BakerFan
I can only hope no team will offer Baker 4 years. I wouldn’t wish his fans invading another team’s fan base for that long on anyone. You guys are truly insufferable
January 18th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
I hope Baker signs for 23-27 million a year so everyone else can also be resigned.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
Saw someone mention transition tag….
Not a bad idea either…
Bucs can match offer or the tag is the average of the top 10 highest QB salaries for a year instead of top 5…
Wonder what that number is???
January 18th, 2024 at 12:56 pm
@ BakerFan
If Atlanta wants to make him a high offer they run the risk of the Bucs allowing Baker to move on and overpaying him…
That is a dangerous game for any team to play.
At least the Bucs would know the true market value for Baker and would be able to have the final say and match any offer if our GM wants to.
It would put the Bucs in the cat-bird seat.
Plus Baker would be rewarded with a huge pay increase from @ $6M to $31M. That is called a win-win.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:56 pm
If Detroit wins, trade him for a high draft pick. No one in the he NFL is worth that kind of money..Eventually the viewers & fans will pay the price of these players. The owners never pay. The game is only entertaining, not a do or die situation. Time to get real about players & the game. While I enjoy watching the game, it is only entertainment , not a religion. If this keeps up, the NFL will price itself into oblivion.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Dom Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 12:52 pm
@BakerFan
I can only hope no team will offer Baker 4 years. I wouldn’t wish his fans invading another team’s fan base for that long on anyone. You guys are truly insufferable
……………………………………………………………………….
sorry we try to bring light instead of darkness like the qb sucks, the HC sucks, the OC sucks…. heck I would not even call you guys fan.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
That’s not true Tony Marks, I have to imagine Baker is willing to take a team friendly team for the franchise that has literally revived his career
—-
Yes it IS true Tbbucs. Its not like he was signed for any healthy amount. He was signed for less than what some backups get and for only one year
IF you think his agent gives a rip about that signing feeling appreciative – good luck with that. Team friendly is relative . I say he doesnt’ hold out for 40 yes but some of the low offers I see in this thread with two years and only half guaranteed?
baker will walk and not look back. I guess some think – hey we can go with trask – but guess what?
Trask will be in his last year of his contract come september too and think he owes Tampa anything for sitting him for three years? IF he turns into a stud – he might even take less to go somewhere else and leave the team that sat him in the rear view mirror.
One thing Baker has done very well is mess up the QB situation in tampa if they don’t sign him.
January 18th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Texasbucsfan.com Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 12:56 pm
If Detroit wins, trade him for a high draft pick. No one in the he NFL is worth that kind of money..Eventually the viewers & fans will pay the price of these players. The owners never pay. The game is only entertaining, not a do or die situation. Time to get real about players & the game. While I enjoy watching the game, it is only entertainment , not a religion. If this keeps up, the NFL will price itself into oblivion.
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Texas Buc I agree with you but Dak is talking about getting a 60Million a year contract and he hasn’t won crap in the post season. It’s the game
January 18th, 2024 at 12:59 pm
Dom
You must be referring to Trask, cause real Bucs fan are STILL having to put up with Trask nonsense daily on the week were playing in a divisional championship game
January 18th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
Tony Marks, $4 million is what Bakers value was at the time. Who was going to sign Baker to a hefty deal after he was running scout team reps for the Carolina Panthers last year? Nobody.
It was a 1 year prove deal and Baker proved himself and id imagine he’ll stay loyal to the Bucs since they gave him a starting opportunity when non else was willing to.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
SOMEone is gonna pay Baker $30 mil or better next year. If we decide that’s too much for a top ten QB, we can use a couple of our valuable draft picks which otherwise would have gone too a new center/guard/S.S/edge rusher, to trade up and take a stab at one of the rookie QB’s (2/3 of whom will be busts, according to statistics)
Jets have tried that twice, about to try #3. I remember Hugh Culverhouse balking at paying Doug Williams, the heart and soul of the team, $800k, eventually lost him. We proceeded to trade our next year’s #1 to the Bengals for Jack Thompson (that pick turned into Chris Collinsworth) a guy who couldn’t play. THEN we traded a #2 for Steve Deberg, who was serviceable at best. THEN we spend another overall #1 for Vinny….. THEN we spend another #1 for Trent Dilfer….
All that time Doug could have been our guy for $800k
January 18th, 2024 at 1:16 pm
BakerFan
LOL
January 18th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
The Bucs will sign Mayfield to a reasonable contract. Don’t think they will go overboard like we’ve seen with some of these QBs and don’t think they will low ball him either. As we all know some of these QBs get these mega contracts and after 1 year teams regret it. I can see Mayfield and the Bucs agreeing on like $35 mil a year for 2 years if not tagging him. They got to see if this it’s 3 year Mayfield or just 2023 Mayfield before committing to long term and big bucks
January 18th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
@ BakerFan
If Atlanta wants to make an offer the Bucs have the right to say “no thanks” and then Atlanta is on the hook for that contract.
So that is a very dangerous game for any team to play.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
I’m not an expert in nfl salary structure but i understand the 40-45 figure is only speculative, but understand mayfield’s stock is something to appreciate, and I would expect by now other gm’s around the league would have few if any reservations putting up that kind of bread for a franchise qb. Yes, franchise. His influence brings together not only a fan base but an entire city. His influence reaches beyond sports. He impacts the entire community in a positive way. On and off the field, He is the most entertaining qb in the league. You won’t find a more team oriented player anywhere who can rally everybody .. offense defense special teams .. like baker. When it comes to X’s and O’s, he’s like an adopted child of Archie Manning. His grittiness will surprise you. In college, only one time do I remember him taking a hit from a defender, otherwise he was doing the hitting. Never stepped out of bounds, always took on the defender for a few extra yards. He obviously is wise not to do that in this league, but he will still lower his shoulders on 3rd and 4th down when his team needs it. By now, he’s earned a healthy salary and will land wherever he wants. If it were up to the fans in this comments section, sounds like he’ll land somewhere else, maybe Atlanta.. and you can mark that down as a loss. Pay the man
January 18th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
A Baker fanboy who clearly cares nothing about the Bucs and only his man crush getting paid is telling others they arent fans. LMAO. Funny stuff.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Not a chance we need to pay him that much… gtfo
January 18th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
That # per yr for Baker just doesn’t make sense…Might make for good sound bites & click bait, but the NYG are already wishing that hadn’t signed Jones for that coin, as is NO & PHI for Carr & Hurts.
I see Baker getting Geno Smith coin..3yr-$75M (maybe $80M) with $45-50M in guarantees over 1st 2yrs.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:23 pm
And sure Raider fans will embrace Mayfield until he shows how inconsistent he is and then he’ll be the next Derrick Carr. But lets keep bashing Buc fans for wanting better. LMAO
January 18th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
4 years $125MM. $85MM Guaranteed. Mark the tape.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Franchise him and make him prove he can do it twice in a row. Im just worried about when Dave gets a job in another year then we will have a QB getting top dollar who won’t have the success. Make him prove it again.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:29 pm
he either takes tampas deal or goes to a crap team and back to the basement because you know they draft a qb!
it aint about money as much as it is about risk and common sense
January 18th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
David: 7 of the 10 highest paid QB’s in 2023 haven’t won Super Bowls (yet): Burrow, Herbert, Jackson, Hurts, Murray, Watson, and Allen.
The 3 who have won SB’s: Mahomes, Rodgers, and Wilson.
Wrong again.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
How does Mayfield’s value depend on Canales staying or leaving for a head coaching position?
January 18th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
A Bakerfan is not a Bucs fan…….
January 18th, 2024 at 1:39 pm
I’m a baker fan. Pay him 30 million a year. That leaves enough money to resign other players. Baker’s no dummy. He understands the economics. This way you can keep Winfield and Evans. And have a few dollars left over for other free agents.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Here is what you people do not understand. If the going rate for a good QB is 40 million, that is what they will be paid. If Mayfield is nt n the Bucs next year who exactly will be your QB – Trask lol & you truly think the Bucs will make the Playoffs? The answer is NO. You think teams would rather pay Daniel Jones, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garapolo this kind of money instead of Baker Mayfield? Keep dreaming.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
Tony Marks, $4 million is what Bakers value was at the time. Who was going to sign Baker to a hefty deal after he was running scout team reps for the Carolina Panthers last year? Nobody.
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what are you talking about? Who said anythg about a hefty deal? Baker could have gotten a lot of back up gigs last year so yes he coud have the money part of it almsot anywhere and yes for more money ( again no one said about hefty). He wanted a shot at starting.
Exactly how much do you expect Baker and his agent to give up just because he got a one year deal for 4 mill?
If you are on the 20 Mill a year and two year wagon I think you are day dreaming.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:49 pm
He must be payed. Who could we get that would play better than what he has showed? Cousins? Jones? Fields?… no thanks and the draft is truly a gamble that usually ends up as a failure. (ie… Testaverde, Dilfer, King, Simms, Freemen, Winston.
January 18th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Who runs this blog? Baker’s agent?
January 18th, 2024 at 2:00 pm
@Tbbucs3
No I didn’t mince my words. The Baker fans that aren’t Buc fans are truly insufferable. I’ve been a fan since 2007 when I first started watching football. My first home game I went to was watching JaMarcus Russell get one of his 7 career wins against us, triggering a lost decade of mediocrity. I’ve been a season ticket holder when I went to college at UCF, driving an hour and a half both ways every home game.
Yet here I am being called not a fan because I don’t view some random guys favorite player with the same rose colored glasses he does. Even worse this guy isnt even Bucs fan or a fan of any team at that, but has the audacity to call me not a fan of my team. I want Baker and every Buc to be great. I even like Baker the person. His fans that will follow him from team to team however are very annoying with how arrogant they are
January 18th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Tony Mark, the $4 million Baker got is irrelevant because the Bucs were the ONLY team who would’ve given Baker a starting gig which is all he cared about.
I dont why your suggesting rhe Bucs lowballed him….So what if another team wouldve gave him $7 million to be a backup?
The point is, he came here because the Bucs were the were the only team to give a chance at a starting opportunity and thats why he’ll likely remain loyal to the Bucs.
Who are the other teams that wouldve given Baker a starting job after he was running pass rush reps for the Carolina Panthers scout team? The answer is one team, the Bucs.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Baker is a starting NFL quarterback and is due starter money. He has performed better than average, had a career year, and has lead this team to a playoff appearance and a victory. Florida teams have the advantage of no state income tax, and all parties likely want to run this back, so discount is probable. Finally, its a business, and ITS NOT OUR MONEY! I cannot imagine any leadership team looking at this year’s results and thinking about going in a different direction. Bellyache all you want-Trask isnt starting, The Goat isnt coming back, and hopes of your franchise quarterback in this upcoming draft is not likely. Not like anything changes with the fan mindset-very few signal callers survive this experience unscathed. LFG!
January 18th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Bucfan1988 Says: “you got Trask who has greatly improved”
Yeah, but he went to Florida, so FSU alumnus Joe and the 50% of Bucs fans who are FSU fans prefer the guy who lost training camp to Trask.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:15 pm
This season has been all about trying to keep Bowles employed, but has been an utter and complete waste as regards returning the Bucs to the Super Bowl.
We played .500 ball; Bowles won a playoff game against a crippled opponent so he’ll be back; we will be out of the playoffs by 7:00pm this Sunday; we have a career .500 midget as our quarterback; we still have no idea what third-year Trask can do in an NFL game with starters; and so we have no idea whether we really need to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 draft.
The shortsightedness of the Glazers and Licht, as well as their media mouthpieces Joe and Ira, is astounding.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
I see Baker Mayfield as an old school QB like Tom Brady with a TEAM mentality who would rather make a little less as long as that money was put towards his offensive line or other players to make the TEAM better..
January 18th, 2024 at 2:18 pm
This would be an astoundingly bad decision. Half that with cap room to compliment him, sure. $40+ … no way.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
@ Duane
My problem with Baker is his consistency…
3-4 good games
5-6 mediocre games
5-6 bad games
Let’s not pretend Baker had more than just a few good games this season. Is he a horrible QB? No.
Does he deserve top 5 QB money? No.
The transition tag would pay Baker top ten QB money for one season and I believe that is a fair deal for a QB who is ranked @ #16-20 in the NFL.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Dom, the key difference is most of the people you refer to as “Baker fans” are Bucs fans who are simply supporting the STARTING QB who actually played and lead the Bucs to a playoff win, crazy concept to support the Bucs starting QB isnt it?
Yes, there are some annoying Sooner fans who give 2 craps about the Bucs lingering around here and other Bucs sites, but they dont nearly outweigh the gator nation Trask stans who have been calling for Baker to be benched after every incompletion he’s thrown this season.
I can’t believe where even still talking about a 3 year clipboard holder but here we are.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:28 pm
I always find the discussion about Baker Very interesting. He follows the GOAT to Tampa on a team friendly deal, with a significant number of performance incentives to prove himself. He then proceeds to compete for, and win the job.. Won the locker room over, became a team leader, took a team projected to win 4 or 5 games to 9 wins. Then Wins more games than Brady with the same roster, is the Best QB in the division, wins the division and wins a playoff game..His stats have proven him to be easily a top 10 QB.. All of this with a second year HC and New OC..
Exactly what is the standard Baker needs to meet to get a Franchise deal from Tampa?? If it’s Tom Brady, GOOD LUCK! If it is Franchise QB performance, then Baker is the right guy for the job.. This actually reminds me of when Drew Brees in NO and that turned out pretty well..
I think Baker and Bowles are a great team and can do great things in Tampa. Baker and Tampa should figure out a 5 year deal that lets the team keep their key players and gives Baker a vote of confidence.. $35-40 Mill is a good deal for everyone..
January 18th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
MarineBucs
Baker has had way more than “3-4 good games” that’s nonsense
Also, Mayfield has been top 10 in nearly every statistical category, where are you getting 16-20th from??
January 18th, 2024 at 2:32 pm
lol… it’s the market
Not what “you” think he is worth
Someone will offer and set the price
Do you understand how hard it is to find a starting caliber QB at his age and with his skills???
😂… he’s gonna rock the market
Just the facts and reality of the 2024 cash gushing NFL
QB contracts are going for what the Glazers paid for the franchise
Steve Story if only the envelope had been the Outback boys offer we’d have fun owners
January 18th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
The point is, he came here because the Bucs were the were the only team to give a chance at a starting opportunity and thats why he’ll likely remain loyal to the Bucs.
—-
how are you defining loyalty? That the actual point. Give up a few million dollars differnce or ten?
If you think it makes him give up even approaching ten mill or long term security – again you are day dreaming. Agent’s point of view is going to be – “thanks! Your reward is we got you to the playoffs” – Not leaving mucho millions on the table.
BUcs didn’t even confidently give him the starting job either . They made him compete for it.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
@ Tbbucs
I can name 15 QBs I would rather have over Baker.
All I am saying is he is a mediocre NFL QB. Not bad. Not great. Just middle of the pack…
Plus – please name all the great games Baker had this season.
– Green Bay
– Jacksonville
– Philly #2
– Saints #1
The rest were mediocre to below mediocre.
I just don’t want to overpay a mediocre NFL QB.
Let’s be smart. Use the transition tag and see what he does in 2024.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
Mostly Peaceful Trask Fan Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Who runs this blog? Baker’s agent?
^^^^^^^^
What would be better, to be Mayfield’s agent or Trask’s? I wonder about you Traskies, is Sean Tucker your favorite Bucs RB, because he hasn’t done anything either? Hahaha
January 18th, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Joe … ‘Joe can’t stop wondering if the Falcons will get in the ear of Mayfield’s agent behind the scenes.’
I seriously doubt that Arthur Blank will choose Bill Belicheck to lead the Falcons, BUT … I’m convinced that Atlanta is where Baker will end up. They’ve got $30 mil of CAP space right now with 57 players under contract (they’re in good shape IOW). They have pretty much all the pieces … sans QB … that they’d need to win the NFC South next season. Add a quality head coach AND Baker Mayfield & that’d probably put them in the driver’s seat within this division. And it’d give Baker the running game, receivers & defense that he NEEDS to be a successful QB.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:47 pm
“ I can name 15 QBs I would rather have over Baker”
Then do it, that would make my day
January 18th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
Tbbucs3 … ‘The point is, he came here because the Bucs were the were the only team to give a chance at a starting opportunity and thats why he’ll likely remain loyal to the Bucs’.
If someone offered you $20 an hour to do a job, and someone else offered you $40 an hour to do the exact same job, which one would you take? Would your decision remain the same if you multiplied that by a million?
Baker’s already said ‘Show me the money’. He’s shown himself to be ‘rugged’ and to be a very good leader IMO. I can think of a number of NFL teams chomping at the bit for that type of starting QB (Atlanta? Denver? Tennessee? Jets? for starters). Someone will ‘show him the money’; a lot more money than Tampa has to play with.
January 18th, 2024 at 2:58 pm
the ny giants have regrets about the daniel jones contract – and if they weren’t jammed up, they’d probably let him go – and they still just might do that…it’s messy
baker is doing well and is still in the 3 year 100 mil range imho…
a pay raise from that number could be in store if baker has a big game and they leave detroit with a victory…baker has us on a wild ride right now – he’s the dude who’s pulling the lever on the rollercoaster…
right now everyone should be smitten with baker
January 18th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
@ Tbbucs
– J. Allen
– J. Burrow
– L. Jackson
– C.J. Stroud
– J. Love
– Tua
– Prescott
– Watson
– A. Rodgers
– T. Lawrence
– P. Mahomes
– J. Herbert
– K. Cousins
– K. Murray (when healthy)
– J. Goff
– M. Stafford
– B. Purdy
– G. Smith (maybe – this one is close)
That’s 17-18… You may disagree on one or two but there is at least 15 QBs I would prefer over Baker.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Madness. Absolutely madness. This, when we’re still cash strapped. Need ME13, Winfield and David. And there’s like 8 quality college QBs this year for a tiny fraction of the price. Absolutely madness.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:17 pm
3years, $100 mil is my prediction. Or 4 years $120mil
January 18th, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Geno Smith 🤣🤣🤣 and you would rather have aging QBs coming off achilles tears in Kirk Cousins and Rodgers?? Cmon.
Also wrong on Trevor Lawerence (who sucked this year) , Kyler Murray (hasnt done anything in this career), Deshaun Watson (ask Browns fans if theyd prefer him or Mayfield), Jordan Love, and Stafford.
Tua and Purdy are both system QBs so id take Mayfield over them also.
Mayfield had a better season that half of that list. .
January 18th, 2024 at 3:25 pm
@ Tbbucs
That’s fine. Take those naes off the list and Baker still isn’t a top ten QB.
So why should the Bucs pay him more than top ten QB money?
I want the Bucs to transition tag Baker and that would pay him an average of the top 10 QBs… $31M for one season.
If he plays better or at the same level in 2024 then the Bucs should pay him a little more.
What is wrong with that suggestion?
January 18th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
$25 million, not a penny more unless he reaches the NFC championship.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
Nope 5 years 200. Remember this,
good qb’s
don’t grow on trees.
The way inflation is raging in about 20 minutes you’ll be glad you got him so cheep.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:28 pm
With our receiving corps can make an average QB look like an all pro. Remember that when you pay Mayfield. There are at least 5 QBs in the draft that would look good on this team with all the talent. I would wait until the Lions game before I would think about paying him a ridiculous amount of cash. If we win and he plays good then pull out the checkbook if not you have a lot to think about.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
This team can make any average QB better. You give him that money and goodbye supporting talent and welcome to the beginning of another lost decade. He is not consistent enough for that mortgage.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Not many QB’s actually worth 40 mil+. Probably 5 or less. The remainder of teams paying that to underperforming QB’s will not win a super bowl with that salary on the books.
I am still waiting to be convinced otherwise
January 18th, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Also did Mayfield not play fantastic against the Texas?
January 18th, 2024 at 3:31 pm
Winfield and Evan are more important to keep. Use that money to fix the o line and d line. Maybe another one year deal that won’t prevent the signing of Bucs originals and fixing our flaws. Otherwise we will be like a lot of team with high paid qb with nothing to go with the rest of the team in term of depth and talents.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:35 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
David: 7 of the 10 highest paid QB’s in 2023 haven’t won Super Bowls (yet): Burrow, Herbert, Jackson, Hurts, Murray, Watson, and Allen.
The 3 who have won SB’s: Mahomes, Rodgers, and Wilson.
Wrong again.
I think Baker stiffed him on an autograph. He’s a fool.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:37 pm
I’m such a firm believer in mayfield that I got a Bucs Super Bowl winning ticket at 70-1. So there!
January 18th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
@ Tbbucs3
Sure.
21-30 for 265 yards and 2 TDs/0 INTs – nothing wrong with this game.
Still not amazing but a solid performance.
So let’s add that one to the list.
Baker had 5 good games and 13 mediocre to bad games.
That isn’t worth top ten QB money. This is all I am trying to say… $25M-$30M ayear for 3-4 seasons – that’s fine by me. But I wouldn’t overpay him.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
I also think the franchise tag or transition is the way to go if it gets too high.
Marine Bucs you can easily take 5-6 off of that list. What no one is answering is if Baker does walk then what? Start over? We will be drafting in the 20’s without a bunch of extra draft capital to move up for a top QB this year. This is Bakers 4th offense in the last few years or so. So if he comes back with the core of the team in the 2nd year, he should be as good or if not better with Canales also in year 2?
January 18th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
Let’s be the browns and watch baker shine somewhere else.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
The Bucs have demonstrated that they are a team that a veteran free agent can succeed with. I believe that to be true more than I believe that Baker Mayfield is a high tier talent. Any multi year contract for him would have to reflect not only his value, but the value of this particular starting position as well. If that can’t be done, let’s see what this team can make Russell Wilson look like next year.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
News flash, Marine Bucs, you dont have to light up a stat sheet to have a “good game” in the NFL….Mayfield has been clutch all throughout the year has had way more than 5 good games.
Explain how a mediocre QB can have the 6th most passing TDs and 10th best QB rating? Every QB in the NFL has ups and downs throughout the course of a season because its he hardest position to play in sports
Anyways, I dont even know where talking about future contracts the week of a huge playoff games….such a waste of time we have all offseason to discuss that.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:48 pm
@ Patrick
I don’t want to move on from Baker.
But if we do I trust our GM to make another solid decision like he did when we moved on from Tom Brady…
There are several decent QBs who will be available and nobody wanted anything to do with Baker last off-season.
Can the Bucs do it again with a guy like Wilson or Cousins? Maybe – Maybe not.
But the worst mistake would be to overpay a mediocre QB when we are already cash strapped in 2024 with a slew of expensive FAs to sign.
After the Bucs cut Gage and Jenson we will need to sign @ 24 players this off-season. Only 7 will be draft picks (2 of them 7th rounders)…
January 18th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
I find this “conversation” interesting because the market dictates price. And, I hate to rain on people’s parades but by many metrics Baker is in the top 10.
So, top 10 QB on a playoff team with a $40 million dollar a year market for middle/lower tier staring QBs?!
Deal with it, he’s going to get paid.
January 18th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
@ Tbbucs
“Every QB in the NFL has ups and downs throughout the course of a season because its he hardest position to play in sports”
I agree.
“I dont even know where talking about future contracts the week of a huge playoff games….such a waste of time we have all offseason to discuss that.”
Because it is fun and I love talking about Buc football with my buddies… lol.
January 18th, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Baker always bets on himself but he’s probably also done with moving around so much. Consistency in a person’s life and a team’s roster would be nice. I think after they lose to the Lions, he will go for a prorated Cousin’s deal 3 years for $100MM fully guaranteed with one or two additional voidable years to help with the cap. No franchise tag stipulation. After three years, they can go their separate ways or he will sign another team friendly deal. Or sign a big contract somewhere else. If the next two years he provides consistent top notch play, they will extend him before year 3 of that deal. He will not want them to hold him hostage like the Browns did. Just a wild card victory does not equal a Daniel Jones deal or even a Kyler Murray deal. Those deals were nuts. I still think they can draft a QB this year or next year with a three year commitment to Baker. Baker has shown to be a team player in supporting brining up someone like Trey Lance. If the Bucs get to the Super Bowl this year, I expect a 5 year deal like Hurts. Make the Super Bowl, be a significant reason for that run, earn a big contract. That’s how it works. This team was projected to be the 30th or 31st (2nd or 3rd worst) team in the league during preseason. He has way outplayed the $7-$8Million he will get paid for his current contract. I laugh at the 250K bonus for each playoff win in his current contract. It is more like $5-$10 million for the next contract for each win. Baker really needs to fire his agent. Get the agents for Daniel Jones or Kyler Murray. This team friendly prove it stuff is really counterproductive. It infuses consistent doubt on the position and for the person on the team. While consistently giving the team overleverage. He’s way better than Kyler and Daniel. He doesn’t need to make their money. He would only deserve that type of money with a Super Bowl appearance. He probably just wants that type of commitment without being taken overly advantaged of by the team. I challenge anyone to argue any of those quarterbacks who recently got big extensions from their rookie contract would have done better with the Browns. Probably only Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson are the only two that would have done better after 4 years with that train wreck of a franchise.
January 18th, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Marine Buc: You’d rather have Rubadub Watson? 😬
January 18th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
We shall see how it all plays out. Go Bucs!
January 18th, 2024 at 4:27 pm
Judging by the tenor of the QB experts on these posts, I would advise Baker to sign a $240Million 5year deal with the Steelers. It would be worth it to not have to listen to all the know it all people on these pages who know more than Bruce Arians, Licht, Todd Bowles, Mike Evans and others.
As I have said in prior comments, Baker’s first 6 NFL years statistically are almost equal to Brady and Brees first 6 years. Also, pretty sure the teams he has played on were not equal to NE or San Diego. Even this year Tampa was predicted by most to be a mediocre team and here we are 1 game away from a NFC Championship. Sort of think Baker had something to do with that. The experts on these pages deserve Bryce Young or the equivalent.
January 18th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Woah! Joe, respectfully put the coffee down too much caffeine is bad! I’m not paying a QB 40-45 mil who can’t put the team on his back! All of the Bucs wins have been a team effort. Just because other teams have overpaid QBs (Carr, Jones, Watson) doesn’t mean we need to do the same. We need money to pay Winfield, Wirfs, & Mike. Baker has played his part but let’s fall into the trap to overcompensate – honestly I think the league will reconsider what they pay QBs due to injuries & dependencies on other positions. We paid Brady 25 mil we shouldn’t pay Baker anything more – 3 years 80 mil deal with 65 guaranteed.
January 18th, 2024 at 4:32 pm
@ Joe in Michigan
LOL!
I believe Watson’s physical talents are superior to Baker’s but TBH I wouldn’t hire him to mow my lawns…
January 18th, 2024 at 4:33 pm
@ Gipper
Really?
Tom Brady = Baker Mayfield?
Wow – OK.
January 18th, 2024 at 4:45 pm
7 out of 8 teams in the playoff divisional round have QBs drafted in the first round. The Quarterback matters. You decide to go cheap on the QB, then you will have a lot of good players and very little playoff success to show for it. Tom Brady and Brock Purdy are the overwhelming exception in today’s game. Some of the comments on deals less than 30 million or another single year provide it deal is delusional. Why wouldn’t Baker just take the $37 million tag and make the team eat all of that in cap space. Teams want non-franchise tag deals with players so they can shift the cap space to future years knowing the cap increases every year. It’s reverse inflation on borrowing. The franchise tag eliminates that ability to borrow cap in future years. A $100M guaranteed deal for 3 years is spread over 5 years. They can gerrymander the contract to show as a 20-25M cap hit each year not 37M in 2024. Save 17M in 2024 is more like spending 5M in 2024 based on current cap deflation (rate increase in team cap). I doubt it will come to that. Baker wants the team to do well. The team probably understands Baker’s market value. The Bucs aren’t Cleveland trying to screw their franchise QB for a few millions for a player that has not played in two years (with serious personal issues) for a record 230 million guaranteed. Sad he took a team with 1 win in 32 games to a first playoff win, something they had not achieved in almost 30 years. And they tried to bargain him down. I don’t see the Bucs being that dysfunctional.
January 18th, 2024 at 4:45 pm
@ Joe in Mich
Can you imagine how Cleveland fans are doing after getting beat by the Texans and having to give them their 1st round pick in 2024 while watching Baker win a play-off game in Tampa?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Classic Cleveland…
January 18th, 2024 at 4:48 pm
I’m a baker fan and there’s no way I’m paying him more then $30-32 for 3 years maximum sorry
January 18th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 4:33 pm
@ Gipper
Really?
Tom Brady = Baker Mayfield?
Wow – OK.
______
Will go over this, again, slowly. I said that Brady and Baker statistically for their first 6 years in the NFL have almost identical statistics. Easy enough to confirm by looking up their data on Pro Football Reference. Not sure why I bother trying to educate galactically stupid people like you. I deal in fact. You deal in noise. Have a feeling reading comprehension was never a strength for you?
January 18th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
@ Gipper
All the insults in the world still won’t help your “Tom Brady = Baker Mayfield” silliness.
If all you can do is make silly statements and insult people you are just making yourself look bad…
January 18th, 2024 at 5:07 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
@ Gipper
All the insults in the world still won’t help your “Tom Brady = Baker Mayfield” silliness.
If all you can do is make silly statements and insult people you are just making yourself look bad…
________
Don’t care what you do. The data is there for anyone who wants to make an honest comparison of the first 6 years. That’s the problem, facts overwhelm you. I am not the first one you have heard that from–teachers, bosses, coaches…..remember?
January 18th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
@ Gipper – for the record, Brady cost the Bucs 97.8M over 3 years. That’s final cash paid accumulative and final accumulative cap hit. Average 32.6M. You do recognize there is this thing in the world called “inflation”? And Brady was not as interested in money as all the other under 30 year olds taking snaps these days in the league. In 2023 the average salary for top 10 – 15 QBs was $35 (Jones 40, Carr 37.5, Cousins 35, Goff 33.5, Tannehill 29.5). Only Goff is in the playoffs. All the top 10 QBs except for Rodgers, Wilson, Murray and Watson are in the playoffs. I recognize some still think it’s 2015 and the price of flashlight at the General Dollar Store was $1. But I can tell you I was just there and it’s $1.33 for a flashlight now at that same store. Just sayn.
January 18th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
@ Gipper
No worries. We can debate without all the insults.
But to compare Baker Mayfield to the GOAT is beyond preposterous…
January 18th, 2024 at 5:20 pm
Larry Bird and Charles Barkley are both Hall of Fame Small Forwards and Pierr forwards, both having played the same positions.
They both had similar numbers throughout their career.
Both are great players, but the Hick From Frenchlick is better than the Rijnd Mound of Reboubd for one simple reason.
Larry Legend has 3 rings and Sir Charles has zero, and that’s turrible.
January 18th, 2024 at 5:21 pm
Larry Bird and Charles Barkley are both Hall of Fame Small Forwards and Power forwards, both having played the same positions.
They both had similar numbers throughout their career.
Both are great players, but the Hick From Frenchlick is better than the Round Mound of Rebound for one simple reason.
Larry Legend has 3 rings and Sir Charles has zero, and that’s turrible.
January 18th, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Hey @Gipper. My apologize. I did not mean to type @Gipper. I think I probably agree with you a lot.
I meant @Bucsfan007 on that last post. “We paid Brady 25 mil we shouldn’t pay Baker anything more”
January 18th, 2024 at 5:43 pm
What we’re seeing int Tampa is that sometimes circumstances mean more than the more tangible elements of a player. Baker is a fit here with Canales and Thai team.
Is Russel Wilson a better QB than Mayfield? Almost certainly – but look at him since he went to Denver. Sometimes things just don’t click. Why? Because the game is about more than simple ‘measurables’
January 18th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
@CouchFan,
Couldn’t agree more concerning loyalty to “Team” versus “One individual player”
@Tony Mark’s
Your “initial comments” on Bakers smartest money decision. Couldn’t agree more.
@Mark Maletic
Couldn’t agree more concerning the Smart Money Play for Baker
I’m sure I missed some great points but I just got tired of reading the same things over and over that even termed differently doesn’t change the bottom line..
Summary ~
Hopefully the ones mentioned above are correct about how baker may view it AND the bottom line summary is that Baker has won Many of us over.
He is no Tom Brady. I’m sorry but NOBODY is in Tom’s league overall and flashes in the pan ARE NO SUBSTITUTE. btw I’m not a huge fan of Tom himself and not as blind as some concerning ANY ONE PLAYER! ( I ) does Not equal Team…
AND THIS IS THE GREATEST “TEAM SPORT” that has EVER been created!
If Baker IS WISE, he certainly will take a FAIR DEAL where he is clearly paid beyond true value to Any Human at this time (30/35 mill per yr is PLENTY) And Yet leaving money in the bag TO PUT THE TALENT AROUND HIMSELF “TO REMAIN RELEVANT”!
If he is FOOLISH he will Make Himself irrelevant QUICKLY if he gets greedy because quite frankly HE DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO CARRY A “TEAM” all by himself….. NOBODY CAN DO THAT EVERY SINGLE GAME and the truth and the reality is as good as he can be,he is a “game managing” type qb “finally” And if Brady “the best to Ever Play the game, ESPECIALLY LONG TERM, can figure that out I’m SURE that Baker can as well…
If HE IS “now” a WISE qb and realizes that his “Long Term, Longevity for HIMSELF” choice IS to KEEP the BEST TALENT that money and loyalty can buy AROUND HIMSELF AT ALL TIMES TO GO VERY FAR in his football Legacy and make MANY MORE MILLIONS of dollars for a VERY LONG TERM versus ANY other SMART DECISION he could possibly make, he WILL CERTAINLY follow Tom Brady’s recipe for Long Term Success..
And Tampa Bay is “tailor made” for Baker and is ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER FOR HIM “IF” he STICKS AROUND….
If not, he is likely a NOBODY SPECIAL in “less than 5 years”… And THAT’S THE FACTS
O, and I’d remind WHOEVER I hired as my agent that if you don’t have my VERY LONG TERM INTEREST in the front of his mind and mouth versus an agents desire to make All that that can off of me in what equals A FLASH IN THE PAN then THEY ARE FIRED! GREEDY IS NOT THE PATH TO LONG TERM SUPER SUCCESS! Hungry IS. An agents “Greed” IS NOT… Nor is “Joe Average” fan of “one player” neither!
Go Bucs, Good Luck Baker. Make the “Smart Choice” man.
January 18th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Honestly, the Bucs would be finished if they paid him that much.
January 18th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Has everyone forgot this is a new team, new O.C and receivers he’s playing with?? What stats do people need to be impressed over 5000 yds passing and 35 tds and zero picks!? And lastly he beat the Texans and falcons, Defense gave those games away at the end…and a non interference hail Mary and he beats the Bills away as well, all while being a team first guy, if you don’t think he’s worth Danny Dimes money then ur a clown.
January 18th, 2024 at 6:18 pm
@Obvious – right on. Totally agree.
Baker can probably bump up closer to $40M a year with Vikings, Commanders, Falcons, Steelers, Titans and may be others. I sort of salivate at the though of him going to the Steelers and playing the Browns twice a year. All those teams have talent and some were a top 15 QB away from potential playoff success. I hope he sees his current situation as a seed for a good marriage. And the team and Baker can come to helping each other’s long-term legacy. He would make a killing in insurance commercials in the Florida area with Raymond James stadium and the cannon as a background.
I have my doubts Canales will stick around long. He’ll be a HC somewhere soon. So long as the Bucs stick to the West Coast Wide Zone offense scheme. Though it would be interesting to see Baker always in shotgun similar to the Shanahan/McDaniel version. Arm strength and reading defenses, Baker’s more like a Purdy and Tua than like a Stafford. Stafford which utilizes McVay/Canales play action version relies a lot on arm strength. Baker is good but he doesan’t have Stafford’s arm skills.
January 18th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Baker did this without $80 mill of capspace.
Imagine how well he could do with better pieces?
A running game?
People who think he doesn’t care about money are complete maroons.
His family stole a bunch of his money. He gambled on himself and basically flopped the nuts.
PAY THE MAN!
January 18th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
If paying Tom Brady 30 mill put us in cap trouble, we can’t afford $40+ mil.
That’s just basic math.
It would mean sending a bunch of players packing.
January 18th, 2024 at 6:23 pm
@marine – we moved on from Tom?
BUWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
You lost all credibility right there.
I’ll be skipping your nonsense from here on out.
Tom retired. Jason would have welcomed him back in a heartbeat.
Good lord I hate this town more and more.
January 18th, 2024 at 6:24 pm
Whatever deal they make factor in this years results.
January 18th, 2024 at 6:33 pm
I don’t think you can FRANCHISE a player you didn’t draft. I am a BROWNS FAN that told ypu guys how good he is. I would try to keep him between 30 and 35 mill but I think you could guarantee it and maybe get him. I hope yall win the SUPERBOWL with him. Nothing but GOOD VIBED to all you Bucs fans!
January 18th, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Baker took a pay cut to go to Carolina and got shafted. Took 4 million on a prove it contract this year and he proved it. $30 – 32 MILLION FOR 3 OR 4 years is reasonable. Someone said you don’t win a Super Bowl without developing a QB seems to me Brady was pretty well developed when he arrived in Florida.
January 18th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
As stated, Baker doesn’t mind betting on himself. We could give him an incentive-based contact with a $25 mil base, mebbe half guaranteed. TD/INT ratio….wins, playoff success, etc could all be part of it. I get the impression from most here that if we pay him $30-40 million, he’ll go all Devin White on us
January 18th, 2024 at 6:48 pm
Baker was solid, he wasn’t great.
January 18th, 2024 at 7:05 pm
@Randal Parmer – any player currently under contract that will be an unrestricted free agent can be franchised unless they have a no franchise clause in their current contract. This is true for players the teams drafted or acquired outside the draft.
@Beeej – I doubt he will be in the mood for another prove it deal. He already proved himself to the Browns and now the Bucs. He has more playoff victories than Daniel Jones, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Herbert, Carr, etc. He got those playoff wins on teams that sucked or trending down. The incentives for 3+ year deals are in guarantees versus executing the parts of the contract that are not guaranteed. Anything less than a 3-year commitment, if I were his agent, I’d just let them franchise tag him. Let them take a $37M cap hit in 2024. That puts him at over $100M for a 6 year career in a rookie pay scale era. Then make them pay $44M to franchise him again in 2025. If he hits the open market in 2025, he’ll find the right team for whatever the market inflated price is in 2025.
January 18th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
@ optimistic
What are you talking about?
Brady didn’t play for the Bucs this season… So the Bucs “moved on” from Tom Brady.
I didn’t say the Bucs fired Tom Brady.
Calm down dude.
January 18th, 2024 at 7:24 pm
@Tony Marks
“IF you think his agent gives a rip about that signing feeling appreciative – good luck with that.”
Tony read all your posts, agree with most, respect all, and while picking a nit here I concede up front that the odds favor you being correct. I’m just a big enough old hippie, pollyanna, you pick the pejorative to believe that SOME human beings realize as the Beatles sang…”Money Can’t Buy You Love’…can buy sex tho. LOL
Baker is ALREADY set for life!!! We are simply talking about power, feathering his nest etc. Baker wants RESPECT. IMHO IF the Bucs can create a deal that is respectful Baker won’t hold their feet to the fire and look for a bidding war.
Which lead me to….
GhostofBrady Only my opinion but that is an excellent series of posts that lays it all out perfectly. I could not agree more and thanks for the education on who made what. Money in sports bores me. The numbers have grown so staggering its like talking about play money.
I appreciate you elucidating just how crazy the pro sports in general have become financially. I like that you’re trying to think of creative ways to keep Baker without totally mortgaging the future.
January 18th, 2024 at 7:44 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
@ Gipper
No worries. We can debate without all the insults.
But to compare Baker Mayfield to the GOAT is beyond preposterous…
———-
Not going to go over it, again. It’s not an insult. It’s a fact that you are painfully slow to comprehend. My dog has greater comprehension skills.
January 18th, 2024 at 8:05 pm
@ Gipper
More insults backed up with poor logic.
I feel sorry for your dog.
January 18th, 2024 at 8:12 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 18th, 2024 at 8:05 pm
@ Gipper
More insults backed up with poor logic.
I feel sorry for your dog.
———
My dog has a much higher IQ than you. Don’t feel sorry for him.
January 18th, 2024 at 8:26 pm
@ Gipper
Well you treat humans you don’t know pretty poorly.
I can only imagine how you treat your poor dog…
Yikes.
January 18th, 2024 at 8:48 pm
Stats aren’t the measure of a great QB…Wins are. Operating the offense under pressure is. Leading a team down the field when you need that drive to end in points 100% is….And as much as I appreciate Baker’s career yr…The rest of his career cannot be forgotten. A ton of dudes go ball when they are facing a do or die, make or break years…Then regress back to the mean after getting a fat check & perceived security. That’s why I can’t envision the FO getting all crazy with the checkbook, before reading the tea leaves or looking behind door #2…Be that a vet QB in FA or allowing a QB worth rolling the dice on on the draft to slide within striking distance.
At the end of the day, Baker may be the safest short-term bet…(If Canales is back!)…But a $30M/yr asking price would lead me towards weighing options in FA & the deepest QB draft class in decades…His agent better factory that in real quick!
January 18th, 2024 at 8:57 pm
I don’t understand why they have skyrocketed these quarterback salaries.
Isn’t that 25 to 30% of the salary cap, that’s insane.
I was not on board with Baker all year but after the last month and a half I am on board and think they should be sign him…
However…. Money is the one big variable. A lot of good quarterbacks in the draft. They could get one of them on a rookie deal much cheaper.
January 18th, 2024 at 9:38 pm
Projected salary cap 2024.
~247 mil.
If the Bucs don’t sign mayfield, well that decision would go down like not re-signing Doug Williams
Or trading away the rights to earl campbell which got little to no press in these parts at the time.
I just do not see this glazer batch being obtuse.
January 18th, 2024 at 9:54 pm
@David – as stated previously. Top QBs = playoff success. 7 of 8 remaining play off teams have 1st round QBs. Those guys get paid a lot for a reason.
The NFL makes more money, everyone’s salary increase. That’s the whole point. The teams make more money, players should make more money, the cap increases. The top players pay proportionally go up to the lower paid players in line with cap increase. That proportional portion is just a bigger number for QBs because they are the most significant factor in success. There are no QBs below top 15th in QBRatings remaining in the playoffs. There are lot of bad defenses and running teams still in the 8 team dance. A lot of top 5 defenses out – Browns, Jets, Panthers…
Kirk Cousins has a single playoff victory and considered a top 10 QB. If the Bucs advance no further in the playoffs, I think most will agree Baker should get paid something close to Kirk Cousins – maybe less, maybe more. Somewhere in that vicinity give or take 5M a year. Cousins average salary for 3 year deal is $35M. The salary cap is $225MM for every team! Cousins is only 16% of the total team cap. Assuming special team players including kickers are scrubs, the top 22 players on the team average $10.3M per player. I think a quarterback is worth 3 players. He does touch the ball on 40-50% of the plays in a game. And analytics or the simple eyeball test tells you a top 15 QB is a near requirement for playoff wins. So $30-35M for a QB is fair for an above average QB. If Baker takes the Buc to the Super Bowl, what do you think that is worth? Nothing because he is fat and slow, has two great receivers and was a first overall pick?
You can spend on a free agent QB with no playoff success $10-$15M and waste $225M with no playoff success. Or spend $35M for the playoff winning QB and have a much better probability of some playoff success for that same $225M.
I get it – we are all average working Joes. That type of money is ridiculous to us. But when I think about how much my parents were paid and how much their houses cost. And then look at my own situation. I do much better than them and they probably worked harder than I. Compare how much money the NFL and NFL players made just 15 years ago. More people are loving the NFL product so the NFL and the players deserve more now. I just wish more people loved what my company sold for a living with that rate of profit increase. I’d get big jumps in salary and stock options too. Unless my job could be performed by just about any person unlike a NFL Quarterback.
January 18th, 2024 at 9:58 pm
I’m on record saying that I want Baker as our quarterback of the future and for the Bucs to build around him.
But let’s truly analyze this TB12 vs Baker debate.
TB12 had 3 Super Bowl Rings in his first 6 seasons.
Baker had zero Super Bowl Rings in his first 6 seasons.
Baker was drafted on a bad team (Baker’s first season the Browns were
7-8-1) and TB12 was drafted on a slightly worse team (TB12’s first season the Patriots were 5-11).
Baker was the #1 pick overall.
TB12 was the 199th overall pick.
Baker was the chosen and was anointed and given all of the advantages at the start of his career by virtue of his draft status.
TB12 was an afterthought at the start of his career, having to earn everything he got by virtue of his draft status.
Each player played/plays the same position.
Each player has similar individual stats during their first 6 seasons.
TB12 had far greater team success than Baker in their first six years, as TB12 led his team to 3 Super Bowl Championships and Baker led his team to zero Super Bowl Championships.
Who do you want as your quarterback in a win and you live, lose and you have to kill your dog ballgame with a 1911 S&W .45? Baker in his first 6 years or TB12 in his first 6 years.
I’m taking TB12 and his 3 Super Rings and his tough, hard working, nose to the grind stone, hyper focused/obsessive football only mentality, massive chip on his shoulder because nothing was given to him and he had to take everything that he got, and never give up mentality.
Who do you got?
January 18th, 2024 at 10:18 pm
@BelleGladeBuc
That’s great if you want to play in the past. But the contracts are about the future relative to active players. If you can get Brady out of retirement and get that performance out of him and deal, go for it.
I think it is much more relevant you do that same analysis with current active players like Carr, Cousins, Geno, Lawrence, Herbert, Daniel Jones, Wilson, Murray, etc. on salary, stats, playoff success, etc. Or maybe free agents that are available on the market next year like Flacco, Minshew, Mac Jones, Tannehill, etc. Let’s get Flacco, he beat Tom Brady once. And he has a SuperBowl.
January 18th, 2024 at 10:38 pm
GhostofBrady
The debate that is occurring on this site by people is Baker first 6 years = TB12’s first six years.
Some say it does, and others don’t.
I say TB12’s is better. What do you say?
That’s the focus of the conversation.
It’s purely an opinion based mental exercise.
It’s a sports debate.
It’s what most sports fans enjoy like the classic Brown, Walter, or Barry debate or Lebron, Kobe, or MJ debate.
Just having fun.
Not everything has to be so serious.
January 18th, 2024 at 10:57 pm
Only 1 guy gets the franchise tag Winfield Jr.
He’s saved us a few games and his impact is ridiculous.
January 18th, 2024 at 11:11 pm
@BelleGladeBuc
Oh sorry, I thought it was a debate on whether Baker for annual $40-45M on 3 or 5 year deal was worth it. And trying to justify it was not because Tom Brady didn’t get that.
But yeah – I’d take Tom Brady. It’s not even a close call. Any analysis of stats, success, team leadership is a slam dunk GOAT. I think Joe Burrows and Lamar Jackson are getting paid $52-55M a year. They’ve been in the league 6 and 5 years. I’d pay Joe and Lamar $55M even though they don’t have Tom’s numbers either. And probably never will.
I’m sure if Tom was in his first 10 years of professional football right now (before the model and money) and playing like he did, he’d be asking for $55M per year. He would probably consider that a team friendly deal with continually extending it and adding voidable years to it to pay for support players each year. Baker ain’t Brady so same deal but $30-40 annually seems fair considering Brady played for Belichick. Baker played for 1-31 before he got there Browns, 2-14 after he left Carolina and a wildcard winning 9-8 Tampa (who lost wildcard with 8-9 record last year with Tom).
January 18th, 2024 at 11:42 pm
I think Mayfield realizes he needs a team to find any success. I know he will be paid well next year but I think he signs a deal that allows the Bucs to keep all of our guys and gives them some flexibility.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:31 am
So many clowns don’t know where to start…. baker is a top 10 QB.
This year!!!
Ultimate team game… absolutely 💯….
…. so not all on him when things go wayward…
Only 8 teams are still in the freaking playoffs And we are one of them.
We have overachieved beyond belief. If ANYBODY IN THE ENTIRE WORLD THINKS THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT BAKER YOU’RE WRONG!!!
nobody other than (HIM) would’ve signed with us for that chump change he’s getting. Is he the most talented? No. Tallest? No. Should he command the highest salary? No….
Is he our undisputed leader and quarterback of the future???… Hell freaking YES.
I love the bucs and unlike others on this site…..”voldomort”…. I root for the players who represent us! Let’s go to the motor city and keep champa bay rolling! Enjoy the ride we’re on because we weren’t supposed to have tickets. Don’t be a David… show up to the game…. or watch on tv……… and CHEER!!!. Go BUCS!
January 19th, 2024 at 12:37 am
Yeah. Bakers big year in 2020, he got better AFTER Obj got hurt. He was throwing to Higgins, Landry, a rookie DPJ and Hooper. Njoku was barely used. Yes Baker is helped by the talent around him. Just like Purdy, Goff, Love, Allen, Lamar. Mahomes had the worst year of his career. We have to stop punishing qbs because they are surrounded by talent. Tom struggled his last year in Nee England with no weapons. Baker seems to be one of the qbs who gets knocked for having weapons.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:58 am
I think his priority is guaranteed money. Give him 25 million a year for 3 years with 50 million of his 75 guaranteed. He would take that and be ecstatic. Bowles contract is for three more years. So they both get three years to win a Super Bowl we can reavalute at end of year 3. Best thing we can do.
January 19th, 2024 at 1:16 am
Baker has played great and his Browns departure was due to playing with an injury.
Pay the man, he has earned it.
Arians, who knows more than all you lazy boy arm chair warriors that have never played
a down, loves the guy as does Bowles.
This shall come to pass.
January 19th, 2024 at 3:22 am
What an absolute JOKE! $45 Million for A 9-8 record and 1 playoff win! Total hogwash lol I do respect that Baker has chosen to humble himself and after 8 years and 4 teams has found a SYSTEM that works with his skill set, in a WEAK division!
Jalen went to the Super Bowl in his 3rd year! Clearly, he played hurt! Baker did NOT outplay Jalen! He threw it 10 yards and the RECEIVERS made the 60-yard plays to make it into the end zone! My Goodness People!
Baker IS an average QB! That beat a horrible Eagles team(giants almost beat them with a 2nd string QB) You WILL see when they play the Lions!
Lastly, give them to the GM and Todd Bowles! THEY are the guys that said, Baker IS the QB for OUR SYSTEM!
Unfortunately, Baker we NOT lead a team to the SB! Unless as a backup!
Sorry People! I looove his comeback! But, NOOOOOOO! You pay a guy who can put a team in the BEST position to get to the SB and WIN! Lions vs. Bucks!
But, WHEN they get torn up Baker has that kind of REAL Baker game! We ALL know know know who will REALLY get the BLAME! Lol 😆 weak sauce!
January 19th, 2024 at 8:03 am
Do you peopple understand economics. Why would Baker Mayfield take 25 million plus incentives when he can get 40 million guranteed anywhere else. Despite what you thinnk, Mayfield is more valuable to the Bucs then any other player. If you put Kirk Cousins, Wilson or any QB drafted in this years NFL Draft, you think the team would have a better record, You people don’t know what you’re talking about,
January 19th, 2024 at 8:43 am
Baker is the only reason the team is competing in the playoffs. His style is infectious from the coaching staff on down. Breathes confidence into everyone around him. He deserves every bit of $45 mil. Don’t think so trade him and lest relive the Winston years all over again. The heart of Baker is what fuels this team. No one plays harder hurt and no one wants to win more.
January 19th, 2024 at 9:28 am
All I know is as a Browns fan for 60+ years I’d have been happy with Baker Mayfield at 50m than the turd we have now.
January 19th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Nobody wants to pay a QB until they don’t have one
Baker is getting PAID…if not by the Bucs then someone else.
He’s NOT taking a discount. He did that this year.
January 20th, 2024 at 9:59 am
Baker has earned it for this year, but I think they would like to see another year under the system. I think it makes things financially easier to franchise tag Baker so we can sign Evans, Winfield, and a Tristan deal. Baker’s a damn fine quarterback better yet he’s a great fit for our system and great chemistry with our offense. Should never try to fix what’s not broken. Win or lose on Detroit I’d like to see Mayfield play another season here…. let’s go Buccaneers!!!
January 20th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
3yr/100m fully guaranteed