“The Bucs Want Baker Mayfield Back”
January 21st, 2024
Bucs intel.
It seems the Bucs found their quarterback. Trick is, can they keep him?
In a quarterback league with so many teams needing one, would another team take a chance on an experienced veteran Baker Mayfield, who has proven he can get teams to the division round of the playoffs? Or would they rather roll the dice in a quarterback-rich draft on a pick likely to be a bust?
That may drive up the price for the Bucs to keep Mayfield but per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport today, the Bucs want to keep Mayfield and Mayfield wants to stay in Tampa.
Now, if the two sides can only agree on a price.
“Here is where they are now,” Rapoport began. “My understanding is the Bucs want Baker Mayfield back next year. He wants to be back as well.
“[Mayfield could potentially cash in on a real big quarterback deal. [The Bucs] also have the franchise tag as an option as well.”
Here is the corner the Bucs have painted themselves into with paying Mayfield or possibly turning to the draft to select a quarterback. With the Bucs’ success this postseason, they likely have played themselves out of a shot to get one of the many highly-touted quarterbacks in the draft — unless somehow Bo Nix and/or Michael Penix slide far enough where the Bucs could go get either in a trade-up.
So that means the Bucs will have to pay a large sum of Team Glazer loot to keep Mayfield. And if Joe knows this, so too does Mayfield’s agent.
In short, Mayfield’s agent has the Bucs by the balls. But the Bucs have the franchise tag, estimated to be a $35 million salary for 2024.
Additionally, Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales may not be a long-term answer for the Bucs. Rapoport noted Canales is “garnering interest around the league.”
You can see the report below which begins with an odd drinking reference with fetching Colleen Wolfe. Joe can think of worse crosses to bear.
From @NFLGameDay: The #Bucs and QB Baker Mayfield have mutual interest in him returning to Tampa in 2024, and his emergence has led NFL teams to inquire about OC Dave Canales. pic.twitter.com/qdVCmLld01
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2024
January 21st, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Hes not going to sung anywhere else
January 21st, 2024 at 1:05 pm
A win today means more money. If baker is more consistent or we improve the Oline to help him be more consistent then great. Also need to keep Evans, Wirfs and Winfield so all of those guys will cost money. I hope it works out.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:07 pm
3 years 75 mil is a team friendly deal and gives Bucs a little room to keep key guys
January 21st, 2024 at 1:21 pm
@ BucsBeast
I agree.
Plus I would add @ $5M of incentives as well…
It would be nice to keep this whole team together – same HC, same OC same players – fix the interior O-line and get another young RB via the draft.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:29 pm
They can have him
January 21st, 2024 at 1:34 pm
Beast…..This, I totally agree!!
Baker is Geno Smith coin, if he wants to stay in Tampa.
Anymore would be an over pay, when you aren’t sure if he can do it 2yrs in a row.
Regardless, FO still has to look at draft QB’s to roll dice on.
If they believe the next great one is in the class…You have to see if you can go get that guy. It’s a deep & talented QB class…But I’d call CHI for Fields before chasing any of the second tier draft targets within Bucs trade range. If Baker’s side prices themselves out of One Bucs Place, have to have plan B / C / D contingencies ready to be executed.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:37 pm
You keep bringing up Bo Nix as if he will be a good NFL qb. No thanks.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:43 pm
They will get it figured out, and sooner than later. I think it will be a three year deal, and closer to the tag number, but with extra years to absorb some of the cap hit. Canales will get a pay raise, but isnt going to take a HC job. I expect him to say something humble like he isnt ready just yet. I can see this team getting better and more competitive with another solid draft.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:43 pm
BucEmUp…not even Karaoke?
Sign Evans first as someone stated earlier.
Deffo figure out a way to keep the midget though.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:44 pm
3 yrs 100 mill….especially if we win today. Now we can talk to him about being team friendly so we can keep other key players, thats what Brady did and it worked out great. The 100 mill is the max including incentives.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:46 pm
Joe was so occupied to find additional source on his buddy Baker as he has done all season. He hasn’t accomplished anything yet limping int playoff by wining NFC South.
Bad timing though Joe. Be careful Joe. Writing this article right before a big game that Baker usually lay ege might backfire with a egg on your face.
Rapport like rest of the media like Baker’s hype. He talks about drafting a qb without even mentioning they have a rookie qb that they haven’t played yet.
This idiot Rapport never mentioned Brock Prudy either out of college and a back up with 49er’s.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:49 pm
BB that 3 year 75 was about where I thought it would be. I don’t think so anymore. It’s gonna be closer to 3 year 90. I think they will over pay and lose players bc of it. Qb position just demands too much.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:49 pm
A 3 year deal between $25-$35 mil is fair.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:56 pm
Not true. David, munch my Rod, Jarhead Buc, and all the Traskidiots don,t want Baker back.
January 21st, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Baker Trash Fans;
Did you see what the 262 overall draft pick can do in his second year off the bench that your trash qb hasn’t done in 6 years with 4 teams ?
Are you still posting Baker M. > Brock P. ? I hope Bucs win today so we can all see what your trash boy can do against MR. Irrelevant.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:00 pm
This isn’t really how contracts work but hey that won’t stop you from presenting it as if he’s gonna count FiFtY mIlLiOnZ oMgGGg against the cap.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Baker is iron pyrite so sign him so that we stay consistently inconsistent. He is win some lose some more. Don’t draft a qb who was already good in college and develop him so that we can be consistently good for much longer. Oh wait we did his name is Kyle Trask. Showed he was light years ahead of where he was as a rookie this pre season. 6th year vet Baker didn’t or barely beat him out. Imagine him a 2nd year in Cornales’ system, but fanbois and converts love themselves some mediocrity that is Baker so fanboi Blowles will push for that so the Bucs will remain just that mediocre
January 21st, 2024 at 2:04 pm
Marky Mark Says:
January 21st, 2024 at 1:56 pm
“Not true. David, munch my Rod, Jarhead Buc, and all the Traskidiots don,t want Baker back.”
Mark, Be carful and be ready before getting attacked by Baker trash fans.
Trask could have been another Brock P. this year had Bucs utilized and developed him post Brady. Uh wait, he was drafted by Bucs.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Long term your most valuable asset first , and that is Tristan Wirfs-period.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:07 pm
David you realize going through life hoping other people fail just hurts your self. Medical science is clear a positive attitude leads to a long healthy life. Furthermore, Chinese proverbs say for every finger pointed out there are 3 fingers pointed back. Meaning your caustic comments and Schadenfreude is really about your self. All this self negativity and hatred is taking a toll on your health. That German word roughly means taking pleasure in other peoples misfortune. But considering German history it is far worse than that. Lighten up Francis and hope people succeed.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:07 pm
It’s more like Bucs and Licht have BM by the cajones. He knows it, and so do they. We’ve got a rough game to hopefully win today. This is off-season stuff so I’ll just wait until the season ends. DC still hasn’t fully sold this fan neither, so where’s he going? How about a decent, CREATIVE gameplan, Mr. Canales?
January 21st, 2024 at 2:08 pm
Baker is FAR greater than ANY qb the Bucs have EVER had not named Tom Brady…
Avoid the Winston, Freeman, Glennon, Johnson bust trash bag….
The Bucs need him to stick around for a few years until they get a quality guy and give him time to learn… Not just throw a young guy into the high speed of the NFL!
January 21st, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Can easily see what happens when a key weapon like Deebo Samuel is taken out of the mix. San Francisco is 8-9 without him in the line up and were fortunate not to get bounced last night. Even with a Franchise tag on Mayfield I believe they lose Evans, Winfield, or Both.
Got a feeling Winfield will go to the Vikings to help them to fight for the Division with Green Bay and Detroit regardless. Meanwhile the Bucs will struggle to finish higher than third in the NFC South.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:09 pm
The last thing Baker wants to do is go learn anther new system! He’s not going anywhere and the Bucs won’t have to overpay him and they know it. Pay a fair price sure, overpay not a chance.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:10 pm
I don’t care if they bring him back but Winfield and Wirfs better get resigned first. I would also like Evans back.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Trask should be loaned out FIFA style to to the UFL to get playing time.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Baker is FAR better than Doug Williams or Steve Young??
Cmon Tye
January 21st, 2024 at 2:14 pm
I spoke with Baker & he told me he wants a 3 year 120 mil contract with 80 mil guaranteed….
January 21st, 2024 at 2:15 pm
Don’t worry Baker fans, if Bucs or other teams overpaying Baker. He lays turds in today games, he will be on his journey bus to UFL. I hope not. Go Bucs.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:15 pm
Or…you can have him fro $100 mil if you draft a center in round 1 and LG in round 2……
January 21st, 2024 at 2:18 pm
A good short term offer would be 3 years 120.
Or franchise tag at ~37.
A good long term deal would be 5 years 200, 3 years guaranteed
A great long term deal 7 years 300, 4 years guaranteed.
Remember Tampa is a great location, good players, team friendly, coastal annd warm, and no state or municipal taxation.
Also remember, inflation is soaring, and a dollar today could be worth .50 cents in 5-7 years.
You all buy houses, buy home owners, buy healthcare insurance, buy cars, and auto insurance, and buy everyday items. So you all know inflation is soaring. All things to consider, but in my view, mayfield is a keepah.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:23 pm
@BucsFan – Doug Williams played in a much different era of football… Can’t say he would be successful the way it is today…
Steve Young did NOTHING as a Buc so definitely Baker is better in that regard!
January 21st, 2024 at 2:27 pm
The Bucs will get it done, and I’ve figured it will be in that $30-35m for one year range. Regardless of whatever number is announced the Bucs will almost certainly have an out after a year – and based on how they’ve been doing things lately, they’ll very much backload the deal using void years and other tricks so the hit will be like $10m or something.
But the Bucs have to first sign Winfield and Evans, then they’ll figure out how to structure Baker’s deal. But I’m sure he’ll be back next year – and if he goes out and wins today and looks good again, maybe longer than next year.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:30 pm
They better sign Baker. They do not want to be stuck with a career backup in Trask who can’t even sniff the practice field.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:32 pm
I don’t hate Baker. I just don’t want us to get stuck with him setting this franchise back for years to come unless he goes out and win the next two games. He is a one and done journeyman. He hasn’t shown any consistency in six years and he can’t be trusted.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:34 pm
Go BUCS!!!!!!!
Some of you need to grow the f up. I am so happy we are not wearing those ugly orange jerseys. Our team completely sucked when that was our uniform. Why being that back into the building? Defense wins championships, LFG!!!!!!!!!!
January 21st, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Like Fox Analysts said yesterday, every team has tools around the quarterback… Every team, have good receivers, good running backs, good TE’s, good Offensive Tackles….. I think Tampa has good ones also, QB salaries are doing nothing but going up up and up. Be prepared to be shocked. He will get $40 Million offers.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Honestly I’d like to see what baker and canales could do in year 2. Lot to build on.
January 21st, 2024 at 2:46 pm
i can’t believe you guys are still talking these foolish numbers…
baker and agent probably won’t even talk to anyone for less than 3 years 100 mil…
what world are you guys living in…?
currently there are only 3 teams left in the nfc – and we are one of them…
let’s whoop some lion azz today!! – and quiet that dome down real good
January 21st, 2024 at 3:52 pm
Yeah well, crappy teams draft QBs high to build excitement. Potential. Well run teams hang onto what they have. Best bet, incentive heavy with decent guaranteed money. Bring back Winfield, Evans and Mayfield
January 21st, 2024 at 5:25 pm
I told you that David is a clown
January 21st, 2024 at 5:28 pm
David is still mad that his man crush Trask couldn’t win the job even though he’s had 3 years in Tampa. Of course David also believes that Joe Biden has done a good job
January 21st, 2024 at 11:55 pm
It’s hilarious to see a bunch of broke azz couch potato fans talk about how much a professional QB should make per year. I just want to see Baker get a fear pay day that works for him ans the team…. He paid with Kats like OBJ and others that wanted money over winning. I pay that he gets to atay in Tampa. I think they can be really special in year two….
January 22nd, 2024 at 3:16 am
The idiot that said three yrs 85 million is an absolutely smokin something look danial sorry jones kyler murry jalen hurts all cant hold bakers jock strap so why would he or any disrespectful ignorance trashing one of the best qbs in the league and that was with trash line and no running game also a million dropped passes it is so bs the nfl has us only 27 drops counting today i know for a fact evens has dropped 15 or more otten at least that many godwin 6 Rashad 4=6 kokeif dropped 2 and that other tightend had at least 5 drops idk where pff gets 75 %of there bs biased stats 5 yrs 200 million and boys and girls that is a home team discount if there smart sign him to 10 500 hes that dude hope he doesnt have to go elsewhere to get what he deserves committed loyalty
January 22nd, 2024 at 3:31 am
And now for the other idiot that said baker hasnt showed any consistency in 6 yrs is a fin total clown 2018 27td 18 int as a rookie 2020 28td/8 int 2023 28/10 and thats with no line and bud the man has had 8 different coaches and offenses in 6 yrs no QB IN HISTORY HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT ITS TOTAL CLUELESS STAT NERDS THAT HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT HOW MUCH THE MAN SHOULD BE PRAISED FOR BEING TOUGH ENOUGH AND FOR HOW BAD THEY SCREWED HIM THEN KEPT DOINV IT BY MAKING HIM MIS ALL STUFF BUT HELD THE GUY THEN SENT HIM TO TRASH ASS CAROLINA CLOWNS IEAN THIS GUY PLAYED A ENTIRE SEASON WITH BROKEN SHOULDER AND SPRAINED KNEE AND BRUISED HEEL BONE AND THEY LITERALLY SABOTAGED HIM ON PURPOSE THEY HAD 3 STARING OL OUT FOR YR CHUB MISS 6 GAMES JARVIS 6 AND HUNT 8 BUT HAD HIM DROP BACK AT LEAST 40/=5 TIMES A GAME WITH NO ONE TO THROW TOO I HOPE THW BROWNS PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID FOR 20 MORE YRS
January 22nd, 2024 at 12:30 pm
What we all know… The Browns are bottom 2 of the worst franchises in the NFL. So bad that they had to sign a rapist to play quarterback for them instead of Baker Mayfield who played hurt and had a OCs who forced Baker to play in his system instead of playing to Baker strengths. Baker gets to a 1/2 way decent team with no OL or run game but because Baker’s strengths are roll outs, moving the pocket and scrambling. Baker willed this team to the playoffs. It was all Baker!! ( and Mike Evans) Defense was so-so. It’s not everyday you get to sign a TOP 10 QB to your team, not have to spend valuable draft picks on hit or miss QBs and can run the draft on picks to make a playoff team better. Baker was a top 10 QB in a system for one year. Baker gets at least 30 mil a year. 55 mil guaranteed.
January 22nd, 2024 at 3:41 pm
We might have gone to the Super Bowl if the Quarterback who won the preseason competition had started instead of the Journeyman who was gifted the position by his old pal.