What’s The Lesson In Geno Smith?
March 10th, 2024
A year ago, some Bucs fans and many national media types were crowing about how Baker Mayfield could become the next Geno Smith, the Seattle quarterback who won NFL Comeback Player of the Year for the 2022 season and found himself in the playoffs and in the Pro Bowl.
Smith signed a $25 million-per-year contract after the 2022 season and got back to the Pro Bowl for 2023 as Seattle finished 9-8.
But head coach Pete Carroll got fired and now new Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said recently that he won’t commit to Smith being the team’s starting quarterback this season. Keep in mind Smith is very popular in Seattle, was a favorite of the former head coach and, most importantly, he’s played will for two consecutive seasons.
When Joe heard of Macdonald’s comments last week, Joe immediately thought of Mayfield. It doesn’t surprise though that Mayfield appears to be digging in on his contract demands, still unsigned before tomorrow’s start of free agency.
There’s so little loyalty in the NFL that hey, why shouldn’t Mayfield fight for a third-year guarantee on his new Bucs contract? For all he knows, Todd Bowles could get launched after this season and the next coach could have no interest in Mayfield.
Just look at the Bucs’ expressed desire to make Mike Evans a “Buc For Life.” He signed a two-year deal on Friday yet was very vocal about how he’d like to play 5 or 6 more years.
Ira Kaufman Dives Very Deep Into The Baker Mayfield Contract Status, Talks Mike Evans Misnomer, NFL Draft, And More; Special Guests Dave Canales And Tony Grossi
March 10th, 2024 at 11:33 am
The highs and lows of nfl qbs.
Mac Jones being traded for 6th round pick.
Wilson cut and team eating 85 million.
I would like Tampa to Sutherland Baker, but life goes on if he signs elsewhere.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:39 am
Geno appears to have regressed this past season.And 9-8 does not make a qb a franchise or elite qb.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:40 am
Yep, the QB’s are definitely impacted by coaching changes. More the younger QB’s like Fields than the established guys like Smith.
I’m not in favor of drafting a QB at #26 because I think Coen will leave when Bowles is let go. I’m a fan of Bowles as DC, but not HC. For the Bucs sake, I hope Bowles is improved this coming season and Coen delivers too.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:43 am
Sign Russ, draft another project QB, move on from Trask.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:49 am
Joe.. you have been pretty clear and straightforward on this situation. Appreciate it.
Personally, I don’t blame Baker trying to make sure he gets what he thinks he deserves. In his mind, I’m sure he thinks he played for a “try-me deep discount” last year. He proved himself. And this year, no discount…. he wants to be paid. In my mind he proved it last year. So Jason, build the contract with 30 to 35 base, plus incentives up to his 40 million, and get it done.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:53 am
Good point Darengibo, I also feel like if Mayfield want to play elsewhere so be it. I just have not seen enough from Mayfield to warrant a $40 or $40+ mil contract. However, maybe Mayfield is just waiting to see whats his market value. Either way, if it’s more than $35 mil I think the Bucs move on. Just my opinion
March 10th, 2024 at 11:55 am
“Sign Russ”
Lmao!
His teammates HATED him in Denver, Hes washed up. He is displaying frequent erratic behavior.
The Broncos could have saved 20-30 million by keeping him as a 3rd string QB.
No.
They were willing to pay 85 MILLION DOLLARS, just to get him out of their lockerroom., out of Denver, out of COLORADO!
Yet there are people who want to sign him here.
I swear half the country has gone insane over the last 2 years.
No. If we lose Mayfield, we are rebuilding. We tank this year, draft a rookie next year. There arent any good free agent QBs on the Market, except ours.
March 10th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
With Trask and Wolford minus Baker, I doubt we would tank. We would save so much money we could really build the team.
March 10th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Baker will sign with the Bucs. I agree with Mark2001, pay Baker $35M with incentives to $40M. Give him a 3-year deal with options for a 4th.
Unlike some of the Baker-Haters on this site, I believe that he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. I mean, how could he, playing with sh*t organizations like Cleveland and Carolina? Tampa doesn’t look smart playing this game, they look cheap.
March 10th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
“For all he knows, Todd Bowles could get launched after this season and the next coach could have no interest in Mayfield.”
That’ll never happen Joe, because Baker’s elite now.
March 10th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Wyoming Joe…..totally agree…those are #’s and terms I think can work for both sides
Always love contracts that pay better if you play better
March 10th, 2024 at 1:06 pm
Recent report came out – the Vikings are not interested in pursuing Baker Mayfield.
“According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, she stated she was told that interest in Mayfield by the Minnesota Vikings is simply “not true.”
“There were some whispers that perhaps Baker would be the option for Minnesota if they lost Kirk. I was told that is not true,” Russini said on The Athletic Football Show. “He’s not the type of player they’re looking to go after.”
March 10th, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Geno played 15 games this past season…in-comparison to Baker Mayfield, they are eerily similar as far as stats are concerned. Thanks to a 17-game season, Baker squeaked over the 4K yard mark and we’re going nuts over these stats. Btw, that Seahawks team in their 8-losses, I’m not sure if they lost to 1 bad football team, where the Bucs worked hard even against the worst team in the NFL.
I’m curious when the dust settles, if we sign Baker, where do those numbers lie? Social media has made all of this so much worse. I don’t know who’s sourcing what with these headlines, but I think Baker tests free agency and we will see what he’s worth and whethher he wants a brand new system potentially with the Falcons or Patriots. If we don’t sign him, there’s a reason, we just have to be patient enough to see it. That reason being? He’s not the answer long-term, who will be the QB good enough to get us to our next Super Bowl. He’s a bridge, he’s good enough to sneak into the playoffs. There is no team in the NFL, where Baker Mayfield is the missing piece to go all the way.
March 10th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
WyomingJoe Says:
March 10th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Baker will sign with the Bucs. I agree with Mark2001, pay Baker $35M with incentives to $40M. Give him a 3-year deal with options for a 4t
_____________________________________________
Think that WJoe is on to something here. Just guarantee the $35M for 3years with the $40M max graduated and paying in full if win the NFC Conference Championship game each year. Think Baker and agent would go for a deal like this. Baker always bets on himself.
March 10th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
Zoocomics,
You are absolutely wrong on everything. Geno Smith isn’t remotely close to Baker Mayfield. Smith is a lot older, has a weaker arm, has played longer and has far fewer career TD’s than Mayfield’s 6 years versus Geno 10+ years. Baker absolutely is a Super Bowl QB. With a stronger O line, a mediocre running game, and a better tight end than Otton (Gronk style) Tampa beats SF next year to get into the Super Bowl. You better believe that Licht and Bowles know that is true.
March 10th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Marine Buc Says:
March 10th, 2024 at 1:06 pm
Recent report came out – the Vikings are not interested in pursuing Baker Mayfield.
Reports were on and on about Cousins being so certain in Atlanta he was already
buying a house – then it came out – no such purchase was in the works. Pewter’s report of Baker asking 44 Million set our comment section on fire – later denied by other sources.
afer all the misreporting and contradictiong articles every other day over the last two weeks only fools still are citing reports about what teams are not interested or going to sign a player . No teams is tipping their hands
March 10th, 2024 at 2:44 pm
@ Tony
Baker is testing free agency for a reason.
Baker is a mediocre QB. Not “elite”.
If he was considered “elite” he would be signed already.
I trust our Jason Licht who has nearly 30 years experience as a scout, player personnel director and GM in the NFL.
Do you trust Jason Licht?
March 10th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
@ Tony
“Russini and host Robert Mays both also maintained that the Atlanta Falcons, if they are knocking on Cousins’ door, then Tampa Bay’s NFC South rival will not be pursuing Mayfield while later adding that the market for him is not what was initially believed to be.”
Seems like the market for Mayfield is pretty limited.
That is good for the Bucs.
Baker will be back on a very team friendly deal – as he should be.
March 10th, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Baker still unsigned.. Geno was signed before FA.. if they learned anything they learned it wasn’t worth all that money
March 10th, 2024 at 3:19 pm
Well Geno Smith had a much better breakout year than Baker (62.8 QBR vs 54.3 QBR – that is a huge difference in play), and his play dropped off a bit this year, to a still quite good 59.5 QBR – which is still quite a bit better than Baker.
If Baker had a fall of of 3 points in his game, you’re looking at a QB that is now around 22nd in QBR – and that’s when teams are looking for a new QB.
The only way you’d give Baker a deal beyond one year (a real deal, not whatever is announced) is if you think he’s going to improve on that 54.3 rating.
That is an extremely risky bet for Licht, who would be staking his future on an extremely inconsistent QB who you think is going to improve on a career year – and even if Baker did improve by a few points, he’d still be squarely in the range of middling. However, history tells us guys in Bakers position almost never have back-to-back years at this point of their career where they improve.
March 10th, 2024 at 3:24 pm
Marine Buc,
Such assurances from you and a few talk show clowns who have no idea what they are talking about. Anyone with doubts about Baker needs to pick up the phone and call Sean McVey in LA. There will be a lot of interest in Baker coming from NE, ATL, PITT, LV, and MINN if Cousins moves on. Not sure anyone wants to pay mega bucks for a 36 year old QB coming off an Achilles tear. Tampa Bay offense not far away if they sign Baker and bolster O line and tight end. Todd Bowles needs to find away to get defense off the field and stop the possession eating drives that hurt last year.
March 10th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
@ gipper
Baker is testing free agency for a reason.
Baker is a mediocre QB. Not “elite”.
If he was considered “elite” he would be signed already.
I trust our Jason Licht who has nearly 30 years experience as a scout, player personnel director and GM in the NFL.
Do you trust Jason Licht?
March 10th, 2024 at 3:46 pm
@ Rod
I believe the Geno Smith contract would be a decent offer for Baker Mayfield.
As long as the Bucs can pull the plug after one season.
Less guaranteed money and more incentives is the way I would go.
March 10th, 2024 at 3:50 pm
Marine Buc,
You are right about one thing “Baker is testing the free agent market for a reason.” The reason is in a competitive market with more bidders prices usually go up. Obviously, Baker and his agent want to find out what that competitive market looks like. Can’t hurt Mayfield to find out. That is what any sensible seller would do except maybe you. You dig, man?
March 10th, 2024 at 4:00 pm
@ Gipper
The only time an “elite” QB gets to test free agency or gets traded is if they are over 40 years old.
Baker is 28.
Not “elite”
I believe our GM is handling this Baker situation brilliantly.
You stated: “Can’t hurt Mayfield to find out. That is what any sensible seller would do except maybe you. You dig, man?”
Yes – I dig you man. I actually agree with you. It will be good for both the Bucs and Baker Mayfield to know his true value.
I hope Baker doesn’t take the disappointing news too hard. Damaged egos can lead to depression at times…
March 10th, 2024 at 4:33 pm
Mac Jones was just traded for a 6th round pick.
Could the Bucs trade for Justin Fields for two 6th round picks?
That might be an interesting option.
March 10th, 2024 at 5:08 pm
Marine Buc Says:
March 10th, 2024 at 4:00 pm
I believe our GM is handling this Baker situation brilliantly.
You stated: “Can’t hurt Mayfield to find out. That is what any sensible seller would do except maybe you. You dig, man?”
____________________
I’ll take Mike Evans word for it that Baker is elite. By the way anyone who plays the requisite number of years can test free agency. Mike Evans as an example could have. He was lured back to Tampa believing that Mayfield will be his QB. You have a lot of your sorry self invested in your anti Baker campaign. For your own well being, let it go. You should have enjoyed the Bucs success last year. Everyone on the team and management believes Baker was a huge part of that.
March 10th, 2024 at 5:12 pm
Rappaport just tweeted Mayfield deal is getting done, $100M over 3 years with $50M guaranteed.
March 10th, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Baker for $100M over 3 years is a good deal for both sides.