How Much Will Baker Mayfield Want?
January 29th, 2024
The future.
This is a tough one for Joe.
Had former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales stayed, Joe was good with paying Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield the going rate.
After all, it was Canales who rescued Mayfield’s career in just their first year together. Imagine what it would be like in the second year.
Then, Canales left for Carolina. Given Mayfield’s up-and-down career — and it seemingly goes up and down whenever there is a new coordinator — well, Joe isn’t as confident Mayfield is that guy.
Jenna Laine of ESPN seems to think Mayfield, a free agent, won’t be asking for the sun and the moon.
Mayfield has said numerous times that he values the Bucs’ organizational stability, and that could be in Tampa Bay’s favor. Bowles has also been on record saying he wants to keep his quarterback in Tampa.
“To get everybody back, there has to be sacrifices made, and this team’s about winning,” Mayfield said. “We have a group full of guys that they were all about that. It’s not about individual guys. It’s not about that. So, that’s what’s made it special.”
But what kind of stability are we talking about? Mayfield’s offensive coordinator left. His quarterback coach is interviewing with other teams. Nobody knows about the future of Mayfield’s favorite target, Mike Evans.
At this point, the Bucs offense could be radically different in 2024.
Right now little is stable about the Bucs offense when it comes to will be leading it and the team’s greatest wide receiver, who happened to lead the league in touchdowns.
January 29th, 2024 at 4:26 am
IMO Mayfield should get paid between 30-40 Mil a year but I feel like he knows the secret to success is to take below market value in order for the teams pieces to fall in to place so he will have success and be highly competitive and I believe that is what he does. He wants to win
January 29th, 2024 at 4:41 am
It’s basically back to where things were last offseason: same guys, same team, and Bowles, with a blank page for offense, OC and QB.
They could sign Jake Browning for less than what Baker wants, and get a QB with a lot of promise, better tools, and a hot girlfriend for eye candy.
January 29th, 2024 at 4:59 am
Agree with Proudbucsfan and steele. I think Baker would like to stay with the Bucs and would take $30 to 40 million too. However, in the same breath, we do need a strong back-up QB. Justin Fields has a lot of potential with the right team. Keep Mike Evans and others too.
January 29th, 2024 at 5:06 am
Jake Browning crossed my mind also looking at a list of FA quarterbacks. IDK the message that sends the team but looks like a great option if negotiations don’t go as planned!
January 29th, 2024 at 6:09 am
By stability, he means a good ownership group, and a good core group of teammates, and a head coach he likes.
Every decent team, every year, loses some players or assistant coaches. That’s not going to bother him.
I’m sure he’s already seen the difference between Cleveland and Carolina when it comes to the month of January. Wait until he sees February and March.
What are you think he wants to do? Pick up everything, pack his house, and move to some other city with a whole bunch of uncertainty? No familiarity with the wide receivers? No familiarity with the head coach? No familiarity with the GM? Bypass an opportunity here to Lock down significant money for three or four years?
This will get done. So will Mike Evans. And Winfield (if he even wants to stay).
January 29th, 2024 at 6:20 am
The Bucs should be solidifying their empty positions now, not later when there’s no one else left. If the front office can’t guarantee stability for the interviewees, what’s the point?
January 29th, 2024 at 6:35 am
Bucs will be fine , not concerned. The 8-1 odds I received on my wager for Bucs to win the division last year will still be bearing interest.
January 29th, 2024 at 6:36 am
Dave Canales is an a hole. I look forward to seeing him win 4 games max and he gets fired. He put us in a bad position now. All that emotional garbage he spewed saying how grateful he was to Bowles for the opportunity when nobody else would hire him for an OC job and how this organization is the place to be.
F him.
January 29th, 2024 at 6:50 am
Most teams that need a QB are going to draft one this year. You have a possible of six QBs going in the first round. So you will probably only have a couple of teams other than Tampa looking for a veteran QB. The FA pool with Cousins, Tannehill, Mayfield, Minshew etc. I would be surprised if any of these guys get a 30 mil contract.
January 29th, 2024 at 6:52 am
No more than $10M
January 29th, 2024 at 7:14 am
Jake Browning……..HAHAHA comedy gold
January 29th, 2024 at 7:16 am
I think the Bucs have a max they are willing to pay Mayfield. They have to be able to improve the roster while adding back their own free agents.
I just do not see a spending spree by the Bucs this off season.
January 29th, 2024 at 7:18 am
Bakers career is only down when he iz injured. Next time get the surgery the next day. Baker thrived in Cleveland under numerous coaches. But tear your labrium and you cant throw. Canales was made to look good by Baker not the other way around. Canoles was insisting on running until Baker showed in late game panic time he could throw, score, and take care of the ball. Baker will do well no matter who is OC if he is healthy. Having said that grab Van Pelt while you can. Alex called the playoff game against Pitt because Stefigula was in pandemic quarantine. Stefi canned Alex as a pre-emptive strike to stop the media from demanding he turn over play calling to the OC after being destroyed by Houston.
January 29th, 2024 at 7:24 am
Baker Mayfield will be the Bucs QB next season either via contract or Franchise Tag. Bowles will be th HC next season, if a change was coming he would not be interviewing potential coaches to join his staff.
With Mayfield making NFL QB money next year, it wil be difficult to keeo some fan favourites on the roster. The draft becomes central in determining the Bucs success next season. Another solid draft could improve both the offensive and defensive lines. Depending on the new OC, Mayfield would benefit from.better protection and an extra 1.5 seconds to throw the ball.
However if Mayfield is allowed to leave there is one QB who I would love to se as the Bucs starter. Gardner Minshew who seems to be Bakers spiritual twin brother.
January 29th, 2024 at 7:29 am
Only saw the second half of the Kittens vs the 69ers but i can say Dan Campbel! Is foolish and irresponsible for taking 6 points off the board on 4th down plays. He would have won by 3 with that 6. By contrast the 69ers coach kicked the field goal still way behind on the first drive of the 2nd half and won by 3. In my military mind you only go for it when way down, or out of FG range and higher than your own 4o.
January 29th, 2024 at 7:30 am
Maybe, just maybe it was more about Baker and his teammates and less about Dave that brought success. Or perhaps Baker eclipses last years performance with a better OC than Dave.
January 29th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Mayfield couldn’t put good performances together. Great guy but he had stretches of games he didn’t play well let’s look for a franchise QB and stop settling for mediocre. This guy isn’t as good as dilfer. We let dilfer go.
January 29th, 2024 at 7:55 am
Since76 Says:
January 29th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Mayfield couldn’t put good performances together. Great guy but he had stretches of games he didn’t play well let’s look for a franchise QB and stop settling for mediocre
—
every single time the offense opened up Baker delivered unless he was injured.
The evidence is overwhelming in the way we came back in MULTIPLE games we had to open up because we were behind. The easiest time to see for rational people is the Texan game where he won the game before the defense gave it back.
January 29th, 2024 at 8:09 am
I’m certain by this point that Baker, Evans and Winfield have talked about the 2024 season and beyond, and my guess is that they’ll all be back.
Baker has indicated many times that he wants to stay with the Bucs. I’m certain that doesn’t make his agent feel warm and comfy since it hurts his options to negotiate for his client. That said, Tampa will offer Baker a 3-year deal for 100-105M, plus incentives, with 50M guaranteed. That’s a team-friendly salary for a starting QB who’s only 28. Ask the Ravens how they feel about their 52M QB who can never seem to get it done!
Although I really liked Canales, I don’t think that a new OC will hinder Mayfield from having another good year or five if the Bucs strengthen their O-Line.
January 29th, 2024 at 8:18 am
Since76: Glad Tony Marks informed you out about Baker. Don’t underestimate him because he can really play and the energy he brings to the Bucs is unmistakable. In just his first year, Baker has taken over the leadership role on the Bucs. And Licht knows it.
January 29th, 2024 at 8:19 am
There is sports and then there is business.
Tampa needs to make the right Business choice. I love Baker. I want Baker back. I know that baker is. He will represent stability and the need to develope the team without wasting a draft pick on a rookie QB which is crap shoot. BUT……signing baker for more than 20-25 million for a 3-5 year deal is bad business. He has proven he is good but has not proven he is great. There are less than 5 qbs in this league that you can win with if the team has major deficiences………Baker is not one of them.
He is worth a price that represents value for the franchise……otherwise move on.
Dont do what Minnesota, Ny Giants, Saints, and Seattle did with their current qbs.
January 29th, 2024 at 8:26 am
CRITICAL TO BAKER = EVANS
1. EVANS LEAVES. If Evans doesn’t resign, Bucs likely draft a QB. Baker is gone.
2. EVANS STAYS. If Evans stays, he wants Baker. Baker can ask for more.
3. REAL MARKET. Baker had 1 great year and a gazillion bad years. The most he makes anywhere else is $33M x 3 (franchise tag).
January 29th, 2024 at 8:36 am
They are all coming back. BM is going to take less than what some teams might offer because of taxes and wanting to build a team. I think BM wants to stay in one spot for both his family and his legacy.
January 29th, 2024 at 8:39 am
Mayfield is worth somewhat less with Canales gone because it puts a question mark on his play with a new coach.
I suspect he will take less if he knows Mike Evans is resigned…..we need to take care of Mike first….
January 29th, 2024 at 8:51 am
the draft has become a “thing” nowadays…
out of all these so called great qb’s, one or two will pan out to be good qb’s…
looking back a few years later everyone will be like “oh yeah what ever happened to that guy”…
like for example: a kellen mond
he would be a classic example of a guy they hyped up to be excellent coming out to make the draft an interesting event…
they all basically bust except for a few guys here and there…and those are your starting qb’s and your stars…
you can literally name all the good to excellent qb’s who’ve come out of college to the pros, on one or two hands, over the past 10 years…
do it and you will see…it’ll come down to like 1 or maybe 2 guys a year…maybe 2…so all these guys will be busts coming out this year except one or two…
watch penixxxxxx bust to the high heavens
January 29th, 2024 at 8:57 am
steele Says:
January 29th, 2024 at 4:41 am
It’s basically back to where things were last offseason: same guys, same team, and Bowles, with a blank page for offense, OC and QB.
They could sign Jake Browning for less than what Baker wants, and get a QB with a lot of promise, better tools, and a hot girlfriend for eye candy.
Don’t agree or disagree with you on Jake Browning having a lot of promise. The guy was on practice squads for years until having good start of 3 and 1 and then looking much more ordinary his next three starts.
However, Bengals will keep him. He made $750,000 last year. If the Bengals put a qualifying offer on him, he cannot play anywhere else in the NFL. The qualifying offer would cost them only $875,000.
That is a no brainer.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:03 am
$35MM per year. $120MM guaranteed. 5 year deal.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:05 am
Can’t take anymore of the brilliance on these pages. Baker to Pittsburgh at $45M/yr. Browning and Trask at Tampa 2024 for 3rd place in 4 team division. Bowles fired at end of 2024 season. Rod Munch takes over as head coach. All problems solved.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:11 am
Mayfield has been around the league to know that the NFL stands for NOT FOR LONG. It’s not uncommon for a team to have 20-25 percent turnover every given year.
Sportswriters and the media in general love to create drama…the what if conspiracy, or this COULD HAPPEN.
The Bucs will find their coordinator. Both Mayfield and Evans have said they want to come back. The Bucs want Winfield and David.
The nucleus of the 2021 Super bowl champ’s players are still Bucs. And Bowles has improved as a HC. Cap space will get better this year and even more so in 2025.
Light and company have the Bucs pointing up to be a contender for years to come.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:11 am
Franchise Baker, that’s 30+ million, simple Now on to other things.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:23 am
3 years – $90M – $45M guaranteed with an optional 4th year @ $40M (non-guaranteed).
The Bucs can move on from Baker after year two if things don’t go well.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:25 am
I could be wrong but my understanding is the Franchise Tag has a big drawback because you have to pay the money that year. There are no magical accounting methods to kick the can down the road or spread it out. This makes it harder to get more players under the cap as it would be $35.9 million tied up.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Canales was in way over his head about 75% of the time last season… if anybody saved anybody’s career, it was Mayfield saving Canales. Canales talked a great game but usually left much to be desired as a playcaller, play designer, and tactician. He did much better near the end of the season than he did for the first 2/3 of the season, but he was still far from polish and still not good. He is destined to fail as an NFL coach at his first stop. He wasn’t ready to be an OC… he’s definitely not ready to be a head coach.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:39 am
Paratrooper Buc Says:
January 29th, 2024 at 9:25 am
I could be wrong but my understanding is the Franchise Tag has a big drawback
………………………………………………………….
Correct, most people pretending to be GM’s on this board are clueless…. They think you can pull a number out of their butt and players will accept it. Real GM’s get paid well because they know how to work the system.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:58 am
Joe, you’re up and down on Baker Mayfield more often than a toilet seat at a bachelor’s party.
Why are you trying to chump change “The Most Improved Player in the NFL in 2023?” Do you think Dave Canales was a miracle worker or was he in fact a brand new offensive coordinator who struggled to get his team to accept his schemes- a team that didn’t “gel” in the first 10-12 weeks of the season?
I am thankful Joe, that you don’t have any executive power over Baker Mayfield. If you did, you’d have to go work in a dysfunctional organization like the Cleveland Browns who don’t know the road they are on much less the direction they want to go.
Baker has had SEVEN OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS and SEVEN DIFFERENT PLAYBOOKS to learn in his career. If anyone in this league has the experience and adaptability to learn new approaches and concepts, it’s Baker Mayfield.
Or would you rather have some “wet behind the ears” kid rookie who never paid attention in class in college come in and run your first year offense.
The more I read your writing, the less impressed I am at your knowledge base or your certainty of your understanding.
Joe thanks you for your patronage. In case it’s not clear, Joe has no input on Baker Mayfield’s salary. He’ll get what the market commands, maybe a little less if is eager to sign his name on incredibly life-changing money. –Joe
January 29th, 2024 at 11:33 am
Baker will get paid.
Winfield will get paid.
ME Evans will have to take what’s left or go elsewhere.
PAY THE MAN!
January 29th, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Not top dollar for one pretty good year. Geno smith who like Baker struggled to find a starting job had one good year with Seattle with Canales as his mentor and got $25 mil for 3 years.
This year without Canales he has regressed. Baker had one pretty good year and is will be going into next year without Canales.
If Baker wants more than Seattle gave Geno, the answer is NO. Franchise Tag him and make hm prove his one good year wasn’t just luck.
January 29th, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Canales is gone. I wasn’t that impressed by his play calling and I sincerely doubt that he single-handedly resurrected Baker’s career. I think Baker did his own thing and he clicked with the offense. I think Baker will be fine regardless of who is new coaches are. Now, for his contract, I think 30m/year for a 3 year contract loaded with incentives would be good. He’ll be in his early 30s by the end of his contact and Tampa can decide then whether to extend him or let him go. Fire Bowles. Keep Baker and Evans and find a new HC. Go Bucs.
January 29th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Ralph, joe is just being devil’s advocate to generate post by guys that think with the thing that sit on the toilet seat you mention. You are spot on about Mayfield. He played hurt all the seasons the naysayers like to point to. They believe the chronic locker-room poisoner, Beckham, because it fits their narrative. The only surprise in this thread is that no one suggested all is well, we have Trask who can step right in.
January 29th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
“To get everybody back, there has to be sacrifices made, and this team’s about winning,” Mayfield said.
That right there, if he backs it up with action…just earned him a ton of respect from me.
January 29th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
jeff Says:
“Not top dollar for one pretty good year. Geno smith who like Baker struggled to find a starting job had one good year with Seattle with Canales as his mentor and got $25 mil for 3 years.”
I have to agree with this. It is a substantial raise for him.
I think he had a good year…not a pretty good year, but apples and oranges. If he were a rookie, I would have found it encouraging.
January 29th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
vadertime Says
“Canales is gone. I wasn’t that impressed by his play calling and I sincerely doubt that he single-handedly resurrected Baker’s career. I think Baker did his own thing and he clicked with the offense.”
I think Running the ball so much, or trying to, is what helped Baker. And I believe Bowles insisted Canales focus on running as much as possible. In this, I think Canales’ hands were tied.
January 29th, 2024 at 1:23 pm
I am hopeful he takes less than he could make, to help the team, and perhaps get a longer contract with an understanding they won’t draft a QB this year or next. Less pay to stabilize his starting role.
I think we will be better off with a new OC that is more pass oriented and has more modern plays. I don’t remember any comments about the creativity of Canales plays. We can do better.
January 29th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
Yada Yada Winfield says pay Baker 3yr 150 mil all guaranteed!!!!!!!
January 29th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
There’s plenty of other options if Baker prices himself out of the market.
Still, by far, the most interesting one would be Justin Fields. You got a guy who improved greatly during the year, can run like a RB, and was more consistent than Baker in the 2nd half of the year. That offense in Chicago was a complete mess, and those morons tried to make him a pocket passer for some dumb reason, but put him in this Seattle type of offense with the added benefit of running – and you might have something special, and I think you could get him for a 3rd and he’d cost a lot less next season than Baker, so you could try him out and see if he’s the future or not.
Also if you bring back Baker or not will depend on the OC and what scheme you’re going to run. I wouldn’t think that Bowles will change schemes, but if he does, that can very much switch up who you’re going to have at QB.
January 29th, 2024 at 2:10 pm
Baker’s good season was all about Baker and not Canales. Canales brings a very positive attitude but there was nothing special about his play calling. Baker’s down year was because he was playing injured. He then got sold out by Cleveland who were creaming themselves over Watson. You can’t count the time with the dysfunctional Panthers.
January 30th, 2024 at 12:25 am
Cousins wants $90 mill…guaranteed
Baker is a deal.
Good bye ME Evans
January 30th, 2024 at 1:03 am
optimisticbucsfan, what Cousins wants and gets could be different things
January 30th, 2024 at 1:06 am
Rod Munch, I think we picked up 2 3rd rounders when Canales left.
I say keep Baker AND trade for fields. Have a true QB competition…and maybe have Fields long term.