Baker Mayfield And $36.293 Million
February 22nd, 2024
Team Glazer
So what will Tampa Bay pay Baker Mayfield?
It’s an important question unless you think Team Glazer will buy Todd Bowles a pastrami-on-rye sandwich and tell him he’s going to roll this season with a rookie quarterback, Kyle Trask and Jacoby Brisset.
Updated 2024 franchise tag numbers have been circulating this week and it seems the non-exclusive franchise tags for quarterbacks is a whopping $36.293 million for the one-year deal.
That’s a lot of warm, $12 beers at The Licht House.
(The “non-exclusive” tag is the common tag.)
The Bucs have until March 5 to use the tag on one player only.
Is it fair to say Mayfield will get the tag if he refuses to sign a multiyear contract? Yes, Joe believes that’s the case. However, that’s one fat, cap-swelling price that would set the Bucs up to rent a Brinks truck to pay Mayfield in 2025 and beyond if he had a strong 2024 season.
Perhaps it’s worth the money to see what the Bucs really have in Mayfield when he’s playing under the pressure of a massive contract and his handpicked a new offensive coordinator.
Joe thinks Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht is too savvy to screw up re-signing Mayfield. So Joe is not concerned.
And Joe also is confident Licht has a quality Plan B and C if Mike Evans decides he wants a change of scenery. There’s only one Evans, but there are special receivers to be had in free agency and the draft.
February 22nd, 2024 at 9:23 pm
36 plus a year? I thought we had good weed in Montana!
February 22nd, 2024 at 9:23 pm
Pay the Man. We have no other choice other than rolling the dice on a Draft pick? He has taken this team to the playoffs! We are lucky to have him. Go Bucs!!
February 22nd, 2024 at 9:24 pm
Oof – If only Baker had marched down and scored on that final drive against the Lions, instead of immediately tossing an interception.
I’d write that 36m check in a heartbeat if I was Licht… But he didn’t… 25m it is.
February 22nd, 2024 at 9:41 pm
What “Please” said IF we keep Mike.
Otherwise it is a ‘Reset’ on Offense.
February 22nd, 2024 at 9:47 pm
If he had beaten the lions you would have to pay him 45 million +. Let’s keep it honest only Baker Mayfield fans believed in him. Some Bucs fans were made believers base on what they saw. Some still believe they can pick up any QB and get it done.
February 22nd, 2024 at 9:52 pm
If Baker wants a 4 year deal and Tampa doesn’t want to commit to 4, feel Tampa won’t use the franchise tag and allow him to move on for greater guaranteed deal with NE, PITTS, ATL, or LV. This gives Baker the security he needs after being shafted by The Browns. It gives all the amateur NFL analysts/GM’s on this blog what they want—-Kyle Trask. Allowing Baker to walk would be fair after his performance in 2023. Also, all the Coach Bowles haters would be happy because doubtful he will be able to do much without an experienced QB. This paves the way for a new coach and radical changes in 2025.
February 22nd, 2024 at 9:59 pm
Man please 🙏 let him go got to keep big Mike he has prove he can get 1000 yards with dam near any qb if baker signs for less one year deal draft the rookie home town boy and let’s go man !!!!!
February 22nd, 2024 at 10:35 pm
Browns paid Mayfield 18.5 million to go and stink up the place @ Carolina in 22. Bucs can do the same in 2025 if he fails to perform. He’ll be the highest paid back up that season.
Only eight teams are possibly looking for a QB and six have top 10 draft picks in the first round. Broncos and Giants may be willing to pay most of the money owed their own Mayfield/Cleveland mistakes, a team could get a great discount and shrink the possible FA QB landing spots even more.
Only a handful of teams have legitimate Super Bowl worthy teams and they all are set at QB. Many teams will be willing to roll with a Draft Pick or QB on a rookie deal. 1st and 6th round picks are having success, building the team around them , and proving you don’t have to tie up 100 million on a FA that had a good year to compete and get better.
February 22nd, 2024 at 10:39 pm
I think they get Baker for 25-30 and Evans for 12-15
February 22nd, 2024 at 10:46 pm
U people r superior dingbats dD cone says r u a conehead from the akroyod movie coneheads cause u r bout that smart friggin conehead short for bonehead
February 22nd, 2024 at 11:01 pm
Guaranteed money. It only counts against the Glazer’s pocket. Give him the money man… They know how so just make it happen.. Let’s Do This.. Business is Business.. Jerry Jones, George Steinber and who knows who else have done it since the beginning of time.. You want to win you gotta take care of your team..
February 22nd, 2024 at 11:01 pm
Baker didn’t create the market.
Don’t hate the player.
This is the current NFL.
Remember when RBs were the highest paid?
You cannot win without a QB. Minshew? LOL.
Dude fell in our laps. Let’s make the deal. Evans is called OPPORTUNITY COST.
February 22nd, 2024 at 11:07 pm
Wrong as usual
February 22nd, 2024 at 11:11 pm
It’s really not that far off from what’s projected 30 to 35 is the going consensus. There’s just something that doesn’t feel right past what seems REALLY HIGH at 35. It feels dirty.
The reason it feels that way is because Mayfield Has Not EARNED his stripes just yet. He had ONE, count them ONE OK year. It was special for him but certainly not elite. STRONG in the end, YES but just not quite past a 30 million dollar feel on the High side for the guy. Just not there yet.
At that number there is significant push back from the crowd. And to be honest with you, IT’S MIKE that bringing that Push back from the crowd. Not sure what Mike’s asking but it’s got the feel of WAY TOO MUCH for this to work for Mayfield. Because WHAT’S CLEAR I’s that if not for Mike then Baker ISN’T IN THE CONVERSATION!
It’s just “reality”. Baker isn’t “that good” and Mike IS and MIKE’S asking TOO MUCH.
So in my view, this IS ALL ABOUT MIKE. And it’s Mike that’s throwing the wrench in this while thing. I guess, Mayfield needs to be either willing to except less 25 to 28 TOPS AND, at the least OR somehow assist in talking Mike down from his Mountainous Amount that Mike’s after. (Which is somewhere around the same amount as Mayfield 25 to 30 per year!) AND THAT’S ON THE LOW SIDE!!!
This is the truth of the truth. In this “current.scenario” 50 to 60 million for the pair just isn’t working out……
February 22nd, 2024 at 11:19 pm
D Cone,
Give it up. You are so removed from reality regarding Mayfield that you just sound foolish. Baker is going to get the last laugh when he inks a long term contract with a big portion guaranteed. When he does, you are just going to be the same old D Cone striving to be taken seriously when few do.
February 22nd, 2024 at 11:23 pm
And if it’s OVER 30 for Mayfield (and I betcha THAT’S the numbers they’ve been working with the whole time) it’s Actually in the “65 to 70 million dollar ball park” for the pair!!! So how does THOSE NUMBER FEEL????!!!
It “feels” WAY TOO HIGH! THAT’S HOW IT FEELS!
And THAT’S WHY things have been sooo quiet…
February 22nd, 2024 at 11:50 pm
Agree with Obvious.
Baker won’t have the last laugh guaranteed.
He will play here for 25 or he won’t play here.
Move on
Tampa is sticking to their Guns and Im proud.
February 22nd, 2024 at 11:56 pm
Licht pays Mayfield to 36+ for multiple years and Mayfield regresses with less talent due to that cap money and licht looks like an idiot for the duration of said contract. If licht is for some reason thinking of signing him for that much tag him. Let Mike finish his career somewhere else and see how Mayfield does without Evans. You can’t put all your money on offense. You have to keep Winfield who is in his prime and the best player on the team. Defense is why the bucs were over .500 last year.
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:03 am
Let him walk
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:50 am
@since76 – it’s not your money lol – never was – you’re a number – a fan – nobody. Calm down.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:20 am
For the love of all things holy, don’t resign Baker to a long term deal until you ink David, Winfield, Evans, and Wirfs. Even then, don’t overpay. You don’t need to.
Honestly I hope we let him test FA and sign all the above. He’ll come back humbled with a 3 yr/12-15m yr offer sheet and some incentives. I’d be surprised if any organization threw him long term security and anything over 20. Then again, Daniel Jones got 100 m lol…
Baker, I appreciate the year you had but a lot of quarterbacks would be successful with this team. If the salary cap was unlimited, take 100 mil. Give Devin White 15. Levonte David 150. Everybody gets paid. But the salary cap exist and respectively Licht should put your contract at the bottom of the que when it comes to Mike, Levonte, Winfield, and Wirfs.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:21 am
Mayfield is an average NFL quarterback with an engaging personality. That’s not a dig or a shot, that’s just a fact.
Can the Bucs win with Mayfield? Yep, sure can.
Can the Bucs win without Mayfield? Yep, sure can
I don’t care who the quarterback is. If that little skinny blond that’s dating Travis Kelcy can take a snap, drop back, complete passes and WIN GAMES, I’d be fine with her behind center.
No one player is bigger than the team.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:28 am
Since 76 is spot on. Gotta keep Winfield as well as Wirfs
GO BUCS!
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:51 am
Mike Evans won’t, and shouldn’t get less than $25m. He was getting $20m before, wasn’t he? And he’s got 4-6 years left in him.
Unless it is a truly outrageous amount, I do not carehow much Mayfield makes…what I care about is how long it will affect the team if he bombs.
Keep in mind, Baker Mayfield proved himself to be middle of the pact in 2023. Statistics out him at 16th best QB.
Keep that in perspective, and you’ll see the risk.
And it isn’t Glazer money…it’s team budget according to NFL guidlines. Cowboys doing it for years? Where are their rings to show for it this century?
An average QB cannot get it done these days. When is the last time that happened…that an average qb led a team to a ring?
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:52 am
Winfield. Wirfs. Draft a Center. Draft a QB to compete with Trask.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:10 am
So many of you fans are laughable. The Bucs were in QB hell for over 20 years, experienced the GOAT for a very brief time and then lucked into a hell of a QB who in his first year proved he can win in Tampa even with the WORST RANKED RUN GAME IN THE LEAGUE yet you’re all talking about how you don’t want to pay him even middle of the pack QB money and want to try your luck at the draft, like that’s worked out for you in the past.
Only dysfunctional poverty franchises give up on winning QBs and take their luck in the draft.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:23 am
33.333 for 3 years…. and f u baker haters
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:25 am
Do it Baker…..Mike’s watching….
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:31 am
If we work something out to get them both back, we then work on CB/S/punt returner Dejean, C Powers, then RB Estime to help out Mr. White back there.
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:02 am
Reading these comments, one would think that some of you have a stake in how much Baker makes this year. You don’t. And how much money the Glazers have has NOTHING to do with how much Baker can be paid. The salary CAP is very real; overpay in 1 area and the rest of the TEAM pays the price.
Bucs won the NFC South this past year with a 9-8 record. We were ONE game away from having a losing season & winning nothing. ONE game. And BTW, we didn’t exactly blow opponents away in those 9 wins. And oh ya, THAT was with us paying Baker roughly $30 mil LESS … with incentives … than what y’all are talking about with the franchise tag. Seven of the 10 highest paid QBs did diddly last year.
o Bengals’ Joe Burrow now makes $55 mil a year; Burrow got in 10 games before he got hurt & the Bengals finished 9-8.
o Chargers’ Justin Herbert now makes $52.5 mil a year; Herbert gave them 13 games & the Chargers finished 5-12.
o Eagles’ Jalen Hurts makes $51 mil a year; Eagles imploded at the end of the year & we whooped them in the playoffs.
o Jets’ Aaron Rodgers makes $50.3 mil a year; Jets finished 7-10 after he went down in Game 1.
o Broncos’ Russ Wilson makes $49 mil a year; Broncos finished 8-9 and Wilson isn’t exactly popular out there now.
o Browns’ Deshaun Watson makes $46.0 mil a year; Watson gave them 6 games last year, but Browns finished 11-6 thanks to backup Joe Flacco.
o Cards’ Kyler Murray makes $46.1 mil a year; Murray gave them 8 games & the Cards finished 4-13.
Seven of the highest paid QBs did diddly. Three of those 10 highest paid did quite well: Patrick Mahomes ($52.65 mil/year), Lamar Jackson ($52 mil/year) & Josh Allen ($43 mil/year). Largely IMO because they each had a decent TEAM around them (on the defensive side as well as the offensive side).
Bucs have really just started rebuilding. We’re not currently in the same class as the Chiefs or Ravens or 49ers. Let’s focus on building the TEAM, especially focusing on the trenches. Protect our own QB & continually pressure the opposing QB and we can compete every year. But we can’t do that if we pay a king’s ransom to a middle-tier QB. $25-$30 mil to Baker on a 3-year contract with 2 years guaranteed can work for everybody.
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:22 am
Obvious Says:
“The reason it feels that way is because Mayfield Has Not EARNED his stripes just yet. ”
Yeah Baker has. He’s a top 15 QB. $37M is what they get paid. If you mean Baker has not earned his stripes to be a franchise elite QB making $50M average annually like Mahomes, Russell Wilson or Lamar Jackson, I am with you. Elite QBs have taken their team to the SB or won multiple MVPs. Two tiers down (Top 5 Elite, Top 10 Great, Top 15 above Average), $36.3M is right on target for QB franchise tag.
To Recap Top 12 – 18 QB Annual Average Pay for term of contract (Top 15 being median):
12. Daniel Jones $40M
13. Derek Carr $37.5M
14. Aaron Rodgers $37.5M
15. Kirk Cousins $35M
16. Jared Goff $33.5M
17. Geno Smith $25M
18. Jimmy Garoppolo $24.3M
Average = $33.25
Contracts are done on 3 year deals escalated. At 5% each year increase (which is below 7.9% increase last year and 14% year before) = $36.65M
The NFL net $12BILLION dollars in profit in 2022. That’s $375M net profit average per 32 teams. If we worked for a company where we had a major impact 40-50% of time (plays) for 1/32 of all activities and that company made $12B in profit, we’d be screaming for a lot of more loot in salary as well.
Don’t go with your gut. Go with the math. Players, their agents and other players aren’t dumb. They are the reason the NFL keeps raking in increase massive profits every year. I’d rather have Baker than Jones, Carr, Cousins and Smith. Baker has as many playoff wins as all of them combined.
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:25 am
It all comes down to team glazer and mayfield at the end of the day really. We all know team glazer just sold 25%~ of Manchester United, for ~ a billion….so money shouldn’t be a concern one would think..,,
If money is not a top priority after living through those brutal culverhouse years, where money was the priority, then a deal gets done come hell or high water for mayfield. Time will tell… we do not know what the glazers are telling licht to do here, but we’ll find out shortly perhaps.
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:50 am
My thinking is mayfield will get a ~100 for 3 or ~200 for five… with the Bucs, or without the Bucs…. Because as we all know, per what’s been thrown out there, mayfields been wiped out by his ‘financial advisers’ according to reports on this matter made public recently.
My hope he signs with the Bucs because a bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush, and the Bucs have learned this the hard way over the past 50 years.
Good QB’s
Don’t grow on trees.
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:37 am
Mayfield is a mediocre, middle of the pack quarterback who gets injured, fumbles and gets intercepted , a lot! How do you think he would do without one of the best recievers in the league , and the team having no money to improve ourselves, against the rest of the conference , who will undoubtably improve , and a tougher overall schedule than we had this year ? People seem to forget that Kyle Trask was neck and neck with Mayfield all through training camp and many people believe he actually outperformed Mayfield before Mayfield was “gifted” the starting roll . That is a lot of money to throw at someone who was one loss away from giving us a losing record , no conference title and no playoff appearance, ( Thank God for Chase McLoughlin and his three Field goals against Carolina when Mayfield couldn’t get us anything!), That much money could really be used for a lot of upgrades to keep us competitive instead of putting all our chips on one mediocre horse who does not have a consistent record of winning when it counts , Why not see what Kyle Trask can do for a year while he is still on his cheap rookie contract , use that money saved to strengthen and shore up the team and if Kyle gives us a winning season and shows promise , we are in great shape , and if he doesn’t , we will at least have a stronger team than We do now, and can always find another mediocre , middle of the pack quarterback next year, or be in a better position to draft someone with a much improved team to start with , instead of being in cap hell for the next three or four years, with no way out.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:17 am
all you morons counting the glazers wallets..who cares what the players salaries are as long as they fit within the structure of the cap and the team continues to be competitive.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:25 am
Its painful seeing the stupidity level of so many of these post.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:37 am
Baker didn’t create the market.
Don’t hate the player.
This is the current NFL.
*************************************************************
Exactly.
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:11 am
Lets pay a journeyman QB 36 mil plus for one good year thats really a smart move worse than that pay him 3years 33 mil per year so the organization would be held hostage if he goes back to mediocre Mayfield that we all know. That sounds an even smarter move.
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:35 am
Give todd the pastrami
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:52 am
Obvious Says: “He had ONE, count them ONE OK year. It was special for him but certainly not elite…. Baker isn’t that good.”
💯. Without Evans, Mayfield is who he is. Mr. .465.
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:59 am
JOES: “. . . unless you think Team Glazer will buy Todd Bowles a pastrami-on-rye sandwich and tell him he’s going to roll this season with a rookie quarterback, Kyle Trask and Jacoby Brisset.”
Hmm. Here’s a thought. If Trask had started and gone 9-8 but Mayfield had outplayed Trask in training camp – opposite of what Joe said happened – wouldn’t Joe and everyone else be saying to roll with Mayfield next season?
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:05 am
We spent an overall #1 on Jameis, spent a #6 on Dilfer, spent an overall #1 on Vinny ….. ALL FAILURES. Then Baker just walks in the door for the price Tom Brady probably pays his lawn care service, outplays most of the QB’s in the NFL, got progressively better as the year went on, throws for 600 yards+ and 6 TD’s in the two playoff games. I’m not sure how much more valuable resources we need to expend improving on that when we have so many glaring holes
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:17 am
One thing we know joe, is that the franchise number will be what it is…period. if we don’t want to pay that, or do a deal, time for a rebuild.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:22 am
And if it is a rebuild, let the older guys walk, or trade, and invest in the future.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:29 am
I think we have decided to franchise him, if we cant do a deal. Otherwise, moving forward to pay Mike big money, with no one to throw him the ball, wouldn’t make a lot of sense.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:56 am
Please do not pay him that much money. He deserves to be paid, but he’s not worth 36mil a year.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:00 am
Why is every one trying to save the Glazers money? They own two international branded Football teams worth 3.5 Billion each.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:04 am
Saw a couple comments that fit where I am at: Baker already ‘proved it’ on a discount ‘price it’ year. He outplayed QB’s who were making $30m to $45m and he did it for $4m. You already got your bargain.
He’s worth what the market says. If that $36m or $40m – he proved it.
We don’t have a history of drafting QB’s that turn the franchise around, none have a history of drafting the next ex-starting quarterback’a, out of the NFL, or backing up other QB’s on other teams.
If you think Mike Evans will sign with the Bucs if Mayfield is NOT the starting quarterback, you’re wrong. He can make more money and have a better opportunity with CJ Stroud in his himetown, with a chance at a Super Bowl next season. If you let Mayfield walk – thinking Mike Evans will stick around for Kirk Cousins, Gardner Minshew, Kyle Trask, Jacoby Brisset or Michael Pennix – you’re dreaming.
Stop thinking you can get Mayfield to take a bargain price – Pittsburgh, Denver, Atlanta, and New England HOPE we make that mistake.
I don’t have the time for another 10 years of bad football – good luck with that if you do.
Sign Mayfield and the pieces will fall in place – don’t sign him and they’ll blow the team and start over.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:05 am
Baker can throw to any open guy. Mike is over the hill. He dropped a soft TD pass right on his hands against Eagles. He let a ball go through BOTH hands against Lions that turned into an interception. A TD there would have made it a tie game with two minutes left and just a FG needed.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:08 am
Beej you are a genius
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:11 am
‘Obvious Says’, more like obvious bias. You’re boys Lamar Jackson and DeShaun ‘ massage towel’ Watson both make $52 and $46 million per year. Mayfield has more career TDs passing than both in one less year in the league and as many playoff wins as Lamar and more than Deshaun. Inking him for $25-$30 Million per year would be just a smart business decision. Something apparently you know nothing about.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:15 am
Baker had 4 good years out of six. 2021 was a coaching failure by Stefanski not sitting Bakes till he was fully healthy and play a very good option Case Keenum. 2022 was the Backstabbing Deperverts year. Baker was dropped into a disaster Panthers in the middle of training camp. He got injured again and asked to be released to the Rams where he played quite well statistically on a wounded team.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:23 am
Capt.Tim Says:
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:25 am
Its painful seeing the stupidity level of so many of these post.
……………..
Man, I agree. Do the Bucs fans live in a vacuum? Is is something in the water? It is a bunch of “I Would Do This” nonsense and these guys have no idea of how to structure contracts, they live in a totally different finance world of what the NFL operates in.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:41 am
That’s what the house phone announces when I call from the road lol, except it says “SUPER genius”
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:12 am
How many balls did he put right on the money that was not caught or tipped for an interception? Only an idiot would think hes not worth 30+ mill (but somewhere workable and team friendly). Yeah, we can take a chance on a rook, lol, good luck with that with our C and RT who nearly got Baker decapitated. If we dont want to do it, fine, let him walk. Take a chance on someone else and rebuild for 3 years. Thing is, we dont have time for that you stupid idiot. You hit while the iron is hot!!
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:17 am
I expect Baker would be good with subtracting a few million and replacing it with incentives, because I’m sure he has no doubt of reaching them
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:55 am
Can’t we tag Winfield and put the Transition tag on Baker?
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:01 am
Ethan/robbie.If the coaches saw Trask as the true starter and though he was he would be. They would have brought in a backup just for him . But that did not happen now did it? It’s convenient you pic out parts of what Joe writes and leave out the rest. And it does not matter even if he said who he thinks should be the starter. He does not own or Coach the team.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:03 am
Gipper Says: “Bowles … doubtful he will be able to do much without an experienced QB.”
9-8 with experienced Mayfield ain’t much, pal.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:03 am
pick
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:21 am
Let me preface my remarks with these 2 comments.
1. The chances of me losing sleep over Baker’s contract, at any amount, 0%.
2. The chances of ME resigning if Baker walks, pretty close to 0%.
Now to the meat of it.
1. To all those who think QBs grow on trees and anybody TB brings in will be as good as Baker, how is it that every year one quarter to one third of the teams in the league are looking for a new QB in any given year?
2. What exactly is it you are looking for? To get to the playoffs more often, or win in the post season, hopefully a SB? Let’s look at some QBs who can get you to the dance (or not).
a. Prescott – 5 years to the playoffs, record 2-5, TD 14, RTG 91.8.
b. Lamar – 4 years to the playoffs, record 2-4, TD 6, RTG 75.7.
c. Allen – 5 years to the playoffs, record 5-5, TD 21, RTG 100.0.
d. Cousins – 3 years to the playoffs, record 1-3, TD 5, RTG 93.7.
e. Goff – 4 years to the playoffs, record 5-4, TD 8, RTG 88.4.
f. Stafford – 5 years to the playoffs, record 4-4, TD 15, RTG 101.7.
g. Herbert – 1 playoff game in 4 years, record 0-1, 1 TD, RTG 84.7.
h. Carr – 1 playoff game in 10 years, record 0-1, 1 TD, RTG 69.2.
i. Geno – 1 playoff game in 10 years, record 0-1, 2 TD, RTG 98.9.
j. Baker – 2 years to the playoffs, record 2-2, TD 10, RTG 100.4.
Some observations from the number above. Only Goff has a better winning % in the playoffs than Baker. Only Stafford has a better RTG than Baker, and the only one of the 10 with a SB win. Lamar is a brilliant runner, but (a) that hasn’t translated to playoff wins (b) second worst RTG on the list and (3) went 1-1 this year despite him being the MVP, have the #1 scoring defense in the league and the #1 running game in the league. Carr & Geno have a combined 20 years in the league, have never won a playoff game, and have the same # of TDs in the two games they played collectively as Baker had in each playoff game this year.
When I see TB should only pay Baker $10MM or $15MM or $20MM, I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. I don’t make the rules, but the rule is, QBs get paid a lot. And I believe Baker will, with TB or elsewhere. I think if TB is fair, Baker will resign at a lower price than he could get elsewhere. If they only offer $20MM, he will not be back.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:22 am
3 years @ $90M with $45M guaranteed – 4th year option (non-guaranteed) @ $40M.
Using the franchise tag would be a dumb move due to our salary cap and roster situation.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:25 am
Ethan,
You guys never give up. Tampa was projected to win 5-6 games in 2023 and instead got very close to NFC Championship game. You hate Bowles and Mayfield because all your life somebody has always held you back from succeeding. You are an expert on failures because that is how you punctuate your own life.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:39 am
Baker fan,
-100 million for 3, -200 million for five. Its as simple as ABC, 1,2,3, doe ray me.
That will get the conversation started if Sean Peyton don’t break the bank with all that walmart money. Thats the million dollar question here.
Someone gets him, its a matter of whom.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:46 am
@Gipper
You’re giddy about a 9-8 season that was 9-8 and not 8-9 only because in the last game our kicker made 3 field goals when your career journeyman .465 quarterback scored 0 points. Yup, you’re a winner all right. LMAO.
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Baker chokes and he is going to be hard pressed to overcome himself. That giddy up mentality of his is good for stats but when it matters the most, his nature will take over. That’s that.
Look we’ve all choked at one time or another. It’s a part of competimg at anything in life. And when your left standing there wondering wtf just happened because under any other circumstance it would have happened exactly as you intended, you just know. There’s many reasons we choke. In bakers case I wonder if he get overwhelmed by his own giddiness and misses the little nuances of movement from the defense that would paint the whole picture of DONT THROW THE BALL. Conjecture, obviously but it’s something We’re gonna have to experience year after year with him at QB.
But, my favorite NFL player, Mr Wirfs likes him and I have to know that Tristan knows more about football and players than me
So that’s where I am. I hope we at least draft a new possibility
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:56 pm
3 year $100M + player incentives is realistic and reasonable.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:09 pm
JD Still Says:
“Kyle Trask was neck and neck with Mayfield all through training camp and many people believe he actually outperformed Mayfield before Mayfield was “gifted” the starting roll .”
Are you for real? Trask was never close. The offseason is about finding your groove. You don’t do that chucking 5 yards screens and not pushing the ball through tight windows. Beside moving the ball, the other key aspect for QB is leadership. Go back and try to find one player stating Trask was even close to Baker in that department. In the end, it will all play itself out. Baker will either stay with the team and then fail or ball – and half this board will be right and other half wrong. Or Baker will go to another team and do either. It is fun to argue which half we’re on. I’m definitely on team Baker. I think many of you are delusional to think you can just find a player to drive a team to playoff success. I almost want Baker to go to Falcons because they guy loves motivation. On the bright side, with Trask you will have a high pick in next year’s draft to pick the rookie QB you always wanted. And see how often that turns into success.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:18 pm
Not sure if yall noticed – all 4 teams in the NFC South have Acolytes from the McVay LA Ram system. It’s about weapons, QB read n play and good play calling.
QB-wise, Baker’s a lock over Carr, whoever Falcons/Bucs have (Trask/Ridder?) or Young. This will be Bakers 3rd year in this offense. My money is on him owning this division and offensive scheme for a few years.
I like the Buc’s OC and Canales. Zac Taylor took 3 years before he figured it out in Cincy. I expect the same learning curve. Canales and Liam has some experience.
Weapons – Atlanta not even close if Bucs don’t keep Evans. I think Arthur Blank will swoop Baker off the free agency for 5 year deal which is really 3 with 2 fake years to pus annual average value up – because players have egos. Even draft one of those top 4 QBs to learn under Bake for 3 years. Which means Bucs are going to Franchise Baker for non-exclusive $36M and then work out a 3 year deal.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:23 pm
The Baker “Mayflower” will be grazing the fields of open plains along with the wild Broncos most likely.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:35 pm
Baker is the man! I just with he was suiting up in black & yellow!
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:11 pm
It’s amazing how many people here would be happy with Kenny Pickett rather than have Baker make $35 million.
Pick 26 is the Kenny Pickett talent range.
What do you think are better odds? Baker plays well or the 26th pick is this year’s Dan Marino / Lamar?
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:42 pm
Drunk Bucs Fan:
Fully understand what you mean. But may not want to use Lamar Jackson as a reference for good quarterbacks since you hate late-round picks for quarterbacks. He was picked at No. 32.
February 24th, 2024 at 12:18 am
@admin true and Tom Brady was the 199th pick in the that round.
February 24th, 2024 at 12:23 am
Let’s be honest here… Baker has heart that is undeniable.
Also, let’s not forget that our O-line was pretty garbage for most of the year with a few exceptions like Wirfs he’s just a beast and should be made a priority as for signing.
If Baker can be more decisive about quick little scrambles for positive yardage and stop over throwing receivers and missing wide open targets every once in a while the Bucs with a better O-line and defensive backfield are going to hard to stop.
I say let the guys who aren’t performing go, draft O and D line and pick up a CB and LB depth in FA.
February 24th, 2024 at 8:32 am
I love Baker and the energy he brings. But let’s be real. How good is Baker without Evans out there? We were 1 game over .500 in the regular season in what could be considered the worst division in the NFL.
Put the franchise tag on Winfield. Talk to Baker, Evans, Lavonte and see if they want to keep the band together with Baker being the least important out of those names, and see how much they want to be Bucs.
February 24th, 2024 at 11:18 am
Every person hating on Baker doesn’t understand football.
February 24th, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Baker has PROVEN 2 BE A STARTER N A WINNER in a nfl thats hard 2 win games let alone make the playoffs in your 1st year with a team…… The Media has painted this Negative hate narrative about Baker but Dude is a winner n knows how to LEAD a nfl team n bring everyone 2gether…… Every one is saying Negative things about Baker but he had took 2 Bad franchises 2 the Plauoffs n Won games n look at Dak gets paid 40+ n cant beat a team above .500 during the regular season n cant win a game in the Playoffs but people dont use the same bullshyt narrative they try with Baker IS 2-2 IN THE PLAYOFFS in guys the talk about CANT EVEN WIN PLAYOFFS GAMES LIKE LAMAR,HERBERT,JONES,CARR,TUA,KYLER,TREVOR n most those QB’s have had better teams than Baker n still havent got their team to the playoffs n still got Paid but wen its Baker SUMBODY WHO GIVE IT HIS ALL EVERY SUNDAY N EVEN PLAY HURT PEOPLE DONT WANT 2 BE HONEST N GIVE THE MAN HIS CREDIT….. BAKER DONT NEED MIKE 2 BE SUCESSFULL HE HAS DONE IT WIT LESS TALENT IN CLEVELAND WITH JARVIS LANDRY A SLOT WR AS HIS #1 WEAPON….. IF MIKE LEAVE BAKER,CHRIS,OTTON,PALMER WILL STILL PRODUCE IN WIN PLUS THEY WILL PICK UP A #1 WR IN FREE AGENCY LIKE CALVIN RIDLEY,STEFON DIGGS,GABE DAVIS,BRANDON AIYUK,OR DEVANTE ADAMS…… MIKE EVANS WONT GET US 2 THE PLAYOFFS HE WILL GET HIS YARDS BUT WE NEED BAKER A QB WHO EXPERIENCED N HAS SHOWED NUMEROUS TIMES HE KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES MIKE IS REPLACEABLE ITS STACKED WITH WRs THIS OFFSEASON OR THE DRAFT……… IF THEY DONT PAY BAKER N HE LEAVE THEN THIS TEAM IS DONE 4 THE NEXT 4 TO 5 4SURE MAYBE LONGER BCUZ WEN U HAVE A FRANCHISE QB U DONT LET HIM GO……. LOOK AT THE BROWNS THEY HAVE WENT THRU 5 QBS IN 2YEARS SINCE BAKER LEFT N STILL HASNT GOT BACK RIGHT…… PLUS BAKER N GOFF WHO PEOPLE WERE PUTTING IN THE MVP CONVO LAST GEAR HAD THE SAME Stats……
February 25th, 2024 at 3:30 am
Franchise Baker and go from there…….
The Bucs have won 2 Super Bowls
But this team did not win those Super Bowls by any kind of conventional route.
The Glazers made a huge out of the box move at midnight and suddenly John Gruden was the Bucs head coach.
Yeah there was talent, a stalwart Defense, when Gruden came,
BUT…. Gruden rebuilt the offense in the 2002 season (3TE’s 2WR’s, 1 RB)
which culminated winning the Super Bowl Jan 2003.
Then the Bucs make the biggest Free Agent signing in the history of the NFL 2020 and Brady is the Bucs QB
Yes talent was there,
but Tampa became the place for Free Agents to chase a ring with the GOAT as the QB..
So all this conventional building a team path is not how this team has won Super Bowls
Franchise Baker and go from there….
Who knows how it works out,
but when or if the Bucs another Super Bowl, most likely it will not be conventional
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!.