Geno Smith Contract Is One To Watch For Baker Mayfield
March 8th, 2025
Joe saw the Seahawks trade of starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders yesterday and had three initial thoughts.
The first was Tom Brady’s performance as an executive in Vegas might look a lot his time as Bucs offensive coordinator in 2022.
Second, Joe had a moment of silence for Raiders GM John Spytek, the former Bucs assistant GM.
Joe has seen reports that Smith is expecting a new contract in the $40 to $45 million range. Does anyone think Spytek was coveting Smith? The Raiders coughed up a third-round pick.
Third, Joe wondered how Baker Mayfield will react when Smith, who is 4 1/2 years older than Mayfield, gets a fatter contract than he has. After two consecutive postseason and Pro Bowl trips, Mayfield will earn $30 million this season after earning about $40 million combined the past two seasons.
Remember, Mayfield was often compared to Smith because of their comeback stories and tie to former Bucs and Seahawks assistant coach Dave Canales.
More important, Mayfield is a much better quarterback than Smith.
Mayfield turns 30 next month and is in his prime, and he’s a clear top-10 NFL quarterback earning nowhere near his value.
How long will that last? Will Mayfield quietly play out the final two years of his relatively inexpensive Bucs contract (2025 & 2026) or will he turn into a business man sooner than the Bucs expect?
This is another reason Joe wants the Bucs to be in win-now mode as free agency begins.
Lavonte David Is Back! Ira Kaufman Talks Free Agency, Trey Hendrickson Versus Florence Henderson, Jamel Dean’s Shaky Ground & More. Special Guest Chris Simms
March 8th, 2025 at 8:59 am
Mayfield seems to be from the Brady school where he realizes that as a QB he can’t take up 25% of the salary cap and simultaneously build a continuously good team around him. Any smart qb has to balance his bank account with the chance to get a ring. Look at all the great QBs who have insisted on giant salaries and then went on to cry about not having a winning team around him.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:09 am
The Bucs bet on Mayfield and won! Now he’s repaying the Bucs with a cap-friendly deal until 2026 when they’ll extend him. That’s how great business relationships work.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:10 am
Very grateful that we’re not Cleveland, Atlanta or New Orleans!
March 8th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Rework his contract ,, make it cap friendly w a little boost in pay and guaranteed money,,, 5 year , 180 million , 90 guaranteed
March 8th, 2025 at 9:14 am
I don’t think Geno Smith’s contract will have any affect on Baker’s. Baker is better and younger. And no, Baker isn’t taking the Brady deal and the Bucs won’t ask him to. They do however need to extend him right now. The Bucs have Baker under control for 2 seasons, but there is no guaranteed money after this year. If the Bucs wait to extend Baker until after these blue chip contracts, they will have to pay upwards of $60m annually. We are likely about to see the first $40m non QB soon. I would offer to add 3 years now for around $165m and $100m guaranteed. It sounds like a lot but it’s way less than it will cost in 2 years. That locks up Baker for 5 more seasons and the franchise tag if needed.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:16 am
My thought as well Brian–(also, Brady and Baker both make a lot of money OFF the field to make up for it)
THEN, look at $60 million Dak. 2 of 3 guys on that team make so much money they can’t field a competitive team
March 8th, 2025 at 9:18 am
Baker is Top5 not Top10. No point in arguing about it. Baker called his contract with Tampa signed after 2023 season “life changing money.” We won’t have to throw a benefit for Mayfield.
Baker will get a renegotiated contract with Tampa after the 2025 season and it will be for Joe Burrow money. Recall that Burrow left Ohio State where he was never going to get a chance to play for LSU. Burrow is great but Sports Illustrated still considers Baker The College QB of the Century. Don’t think Baker is overly concerned about cash but he is competitive and will want eventually to be paid competitively.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:22 am
I wouldn’t mind giving Baker a little more loot but they should tie it to incentives…
Like winning a play-off game and not fumbling the game away like he did against the Redskins.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:22 am
LightningVinny, I see them doing something similar to what you said but I see it as an extension rather than a new deal. Pay him 30 this year but do it as a bonus for cap relief purposes. Pay him 30 in 2026 the. $55m average annually for an additional 3 years.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:23 am
I’d love to think Baker will take a team friendly deal again but its probably a prayer too far. If he signs for anywhere under $50m a year it will be a good deal in todays QB market.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:46 am
Mayfield is way underpaid. Even with a fat pay bump he’d still be underpaid. The bucs need to give him more money and will if they plan to keep him. Next off-season he will get extended if he plays close to the level he has
March 8th, 2025 at 9:59 am
Baker reminds me in one aspect of Tom Brady, and that’s in putting winning over everything else … even money. Brady could’ve gotten a LOT more $$$ each season with the Patriots, but chose to keep his salary reasonable so that he could be surrounded by quality talent. He still made plenty of money, but in the process he piled up accolade after accolade. SEVEN Super Bowl rings in 10 Super Bowl appearances over his 23 seasons is absolutely incredible. And it’s a testament IMO to surrounding yourself with top talent (and that costs $$$).
I’m convinced that Baker has learned that same lesson. The Bucs are now HIS TEAM, just like the Patriots were Brady’s team. Baker will make very good money over the years, but it won’t be Mahomes-type money (10-year, $450 mil contract, with monstrous CAP hits starting in 2025). Very likely the Bucs can afford Geno Smith type money.
Neither QB is a true franchise QB IMO. They’re a product of ‘THE SYSTEM’ … and both are very good within their respective systems. Some QBs … like Patrick Mahomes … can compensate for being surrounded by some less-than-sterling talent. Most can’t. Baker’s smart enough to know when he’s got a good thing going.
March 8th, 2025 at 10:03 am
If we should win the Super Bowl this year and Mayfield have an MVP type season there’s no telling what we will be hearing. But Baker ain’t leaving this team unless he gets an insulting offer. He knows what this team has done for him. As Gipper said just keep it competitive. Baker likes competitive.
March 8th, 2025 at 10:13 am
DefenseRules,
Neither QB is a true franchise QB IMO. They’re a product of ‘THE SYSTEM’ …
=====================================
DefenseRules,
Stick with defense. What “SYSTEM” is Mayfield a product of? He has had 9 OC’s in 7 years in the NFL. Mahomes on the other hand has had one system–the Andy Reid model–for the last 8 years. Moreover, Mahomes has been surrounded with superior talent since he arrived at KC. Licht and Bowles know that if they can beef up the defense, Baker will get Bucs to the SB more than once in the next 5 years. Mahomes looked pretty ordinary in last year SB, proving that DEFENSE does in fact RULE!!!!!!! Last year was the new standard for Baker. When he does it for the next 5 years with a SB win mixed in, Baker will be talked about as a HOF QB.
March 8th, 2025 at 10:29 am
DR, Normally the stuff you say is well though out and I agree with a lot of it. But, saying Baker is going to take a Brady deal has no merit. How many QBs in the history of football took a Brady deal? The answer is 1. That’s why they call it a Brady deal. Saying that Baker isn’t a franchise QB makes no sense. By what standard? He’s top 10 in pretty much every category. He’s currently making $15m less than QBs that aren’t qualified to carry his jock.
March 8th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Geno is a Raider because of Pete Carroll more than Brady. Geno isn’t Brady’s type.
March 8th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Geno Smith wants 40-45mil a year. He’ll probably get 30mil a year if hes lucky
March 8th, 2025 at 11:08 am
Remember 50 million this year will be 60 million next year for good QB’s.
In other words, diddle now, snivel later; with coveted QB baker mayfield.
March 8th, 2025 at 11:10 am
The 2026 NFL QB class is pretty darn deep and talented in comparison to this years’ class , so I think Bucs will look at ALL options before reupping Baker.
March 8th, 2025 at 11:12 am
baker’s career earnings will most likely be upwards of 1/4 billion dollars…
he will be fine…lol
March 8th, 2025 at 11:19 am
WhatTheBuc … Everyone wants to see Baker as a franchise QB, but where’s the evidence? He was drafted by the Browns #1 to be THEIR franchise QB. Lasted 4 years then traded. Could’ve become Carolina’s franchise QB; instead lasted half a season then traded. Went to a solid team for half a season (the Rams); not offered a follow-on contract.
And then he hits the Bucs. Leads us to a 9-8 season, followed by a 10-7 season. Progress, but that progress came IMO because (1) Bucs improved our OLine significantly; (2) improved our running game significantly; (3) didn’t expect Baker to be an ‘all-everything QB’. The improved OLine protected him very nicely. The improved running game opened up the short passing game in particular (Baker improved from 63% to 71% completions). And Baker wasn’t called upon to be Tom Brady (or Jameis Winston) with the deep passes (thank heaven). He played within ‘THE SYSTEM’ (OK, dink-and-dunk) and had a sterling season.
BTW, he did a similar thing in Cleveland in 2020 and went 11-5. Cleveland’s running game improved markedly to #3 that year, and Baker benefitted. Only threw for 3500 yards (16 games), but included in there was 26 TDs. Wow. His completion percentage was a tad less than 63%, but he made those completions count. Cleveland’s Red Zone TD Percentage that year? A whopping 73.6% . As good as he was here last year, his RZTD% in 2024 was 66.7% . And we were ecstatic.
March 8th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Gipper … ‘Last year was the new standard for Baker. When he does it for the next 5 years with a SB win mixed in, Baker will be talked about as a HOF QB.’
Actually I’d love to have all the JBF conversations be about defense. That’s the ultimate chess match right there. Knowing what you’re gonna do makes it easier; having to react to what your adversary does is quite a bit harder IMO. Over a quarter century in the military led me to the conclusion that I’d rather be on the offensive than on the defensive. Much more challenging (ask the Ukranians).
I agree that 2024 was ‘a new standard for Baker’. As long as we surround him with quality talent, he can lead this offense to a Top-10 finish. And that’s all we need IF our defense also comes up to a Top-10 ranking. Baker will get a nice contract (in 2 years), but I refuse to believe that it’ll be a ‘break the bank’ contract like so many QBs have been shooting for. That ultimately hurts the rest of the team, and ‘something’ suffers (sometimes starting talent; more usually depth IMO).
And BTW, Baker has a 50-53 record after his first 7 seasons, and has played in 5 additional playoff games with a 2-3 record there. He’ll be 30 years old next month (still reasonably young). What part of that screams ‘HOF QB’?
March 8th, 2025 at 11:34 am
DefenseRules,
You are losing credibility. Baker wasn’t offered a contract with the Rams because they had signed injured Matthew Stafford to mega millions BEFORE Baker arrived. Baker facing this, wanted out of LA and the rest as they say is history. Anyone doubting that Mayfield isn’t a “franchise QB” because of the Browns stupidity needs to exam the last 3 years history of the Browns. Browns couldn’t do anything with the guy that broke the spending curve for NFL QB’s, Deshaun Watson. Meanwhile, Baker has led his team to playoff appearances following Brady’s retirement. Mayfield’s arm strength is second only to Josh Allen and his accuracy is much better than Josh Allen. Stick to defense.
March 8th, 2025 at 11:42 am
Baker gets $30 mil this year and $40 mil next, though not guaranteed. That admittedly is super team friendly. I haven’t heard any complaints from him. Is that a good sign? IDK. I’m glad I don’t have to make these decisions. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to simply guarantee what was promised already as a gesture of good faith? I see where a fellow poster says there’s a good crop of QBs coming out next year. I would rather hope we will pick close to # 31 or 32 in ’26.
March 8th, 2025 at 11:45 am
DR, I would say the top 10 QBs in the league are franchise QBs. The Panthers take is weak. Tom Brady wouldn’t have gotten the Panthers to the playoffs. That team is horribly run and any decisions they make are evidence to the contrary. The same is true for the Browns. Baker should have taken the Browns to the championship game in his second or 3rd season. If you remember they had a chance to beat the chiefs and they had a TD late that was overturned on the catch rule. I’ll ask you this, do you think the Bucs would trade Baker for a 1st round pick? Realistically what do you think it would take to get Baker from the Bucs at this point? Name 10 QBs you would rather have over Baker. I’ll wait.
March 8th, 2025 at 11:59 am
Gipper, I wouldn’t put Baker in the HOF just yet. I do agree that he is indeed a true franchise QB with another 5 or 6 great years left in him. I also think getting drafted by the browns was all that was really wrong with the guy. Getting traded from there to the only team in the whole league that’s actually worse was even less helpful. Now he has two very strong, but not astounding years on his resume. A Super Bowl win or two would get people’s attention.
March 8th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
WhatTheBuc … You don’t have to wait. Todd Bowles (the HC many JBFers would run out of town in a heartbeat) wouldn’t trade Mayfield for Mahomes. And neither would I.
I’m a big believer in ‘balance’. Would much rather have a Top-10 offense AND a Top-10 defense than a #1 offense and a #32 defense. The concept of ‘complementary football’ comes in there, but we won’t go there. The Bucs are right now in a position to create the most ‘balanced’ TEAM that we’ve probably ever had. Make the right moves on defense and we’ve got a chance to have a Top-5 offense AND a Top-5 defense. That makes you a contender for the Super Bowl in just about any world.
Baker ‘fits’ the Bucs … perfectly. He’s the FIELD GENERAL on offense that they’ve needed. His completion percentage is awesome. Having a Top-5 running game has given him options that he’s only had once before in his career, and he’s making the most of it. I’m not interested in other QBs to run this offense. Baker ‘fits’ … why not settle for that and move on?
March 8th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Baker is going to do just fine!
Two more years on his contract and he’s heading for a massive payday very soon !
March 8th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Gonna hurt watching geno throw to Godwin next year. Brady will for sure make this happen
March 8th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
DR i understood your first comment. Our system since he got here fits him to a “T”. I agree!
March 8th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
You can make 30 mil a year versus 40 or 50. With income tax and SSI the final paycheck is very similar. Work 20 hours of overtime and bring home 10% more because of taxes. How much money is enough to live on anyway.?
March 8th, 2025 at 2:12 pm
When you get into these tax brackets the tax is over 50%.
March 8th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
If Baker had a defense that could actually slow down a crippled sloth, his numbers would be even better and he wouldn’t feel like he’s gotta drop a 40 burger every time he hits the field. To say there’s no evidence that Baker is a franchise QB, or to say he’s a “system” guy is hilarious ignorance.
Baker played well enough to win 14 games, the defense and the half and half coach managed to choke four of those away. Add the Resskins playoff game on top of that.
So glad Jason runs the team and knows what he’s doing, and given what I’ve read, he’s let Todd know the defense needs to get its act together and NOW.
March 8th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Yea – I like option 3 –
Baker follows Brady in more ways than 1 – by realizing he’s better off professionally making less $ than market value in order to help his team compete for Super Bowls year in and year out.
Sustained “success” will lead to greater professional recognition and thus more ‘sponsorship’ opportunities throughout his lifetime….
I think its high time the “At Home with Baker Mayfield” Progressive commercials resume btw – because Baker has most definitely found his new “Home” – and its got a pirate ship parked in the back yard which is pretty darn unique and cool…..
March 8th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
He’ll be extended before the 2026 season begins.. watch brock purdy extension..itll be comparable.
March 8th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
Aqualung … ‘To say there’s no evidence that Baker is a franchise QB, or to say he’s a “system” guy is hilarious ignorance.’
Hilarious ignorance? I love it. Of course I think most of the ‘issue’ here is how folks define ‘franchise QB’. Is it winning a Super Bowl? (Hello Trent Dilfer). Is it winning 2 Super Bowls? (Hello Eli Manning). Is it being able to ‘put a team on your back & win regardless of the quality of your OLine or your weapons’? (Hello nobody).
Here’s a definition of franchise QB that kinda makes sense to me. It provides 3 criteria, and a franchise QB should possess all 3, although it might take him awhile to develop all 3 (and that MIGHT be where Baker fits in). Here’s the definition & criteria (quote):
“A franchise quarterback is a player who possesses the necessary qualities at the quarterback position, allowing a team to build around them with the goal of winning a championship. Let’s break down the key criteria for identifying a franchise QB:
Consistency: A franchise quarterback consistently performs at a certain level. While they don’t need to be spectacular every game, they should maintain a good performance day in and day out. In contrast, erratic performances—like throwing five touchdowns in one game and then five interceptions in the next—do not align with franchise QB status.
Talent: Regardless of offensive strategies (run-first or pass-heavy), a true franchise QB can step up and make big plays when needed. Even if their primary role is that of a game manager, they must have the ability to elevate their game and deliver crucial plays for the team.
Leadership and Maturity: The entire offense revolves around the quarterback. They must be leaders both on and off the field, rallying their team and accepting responsibility for their mistakes. A franchise QB prioritizes team success over individual stats, remains composed under pressure, and avoids self-centered behavior.
In summary, a franchise quarterback is the cornerstone of a team—a player around whom the organization can build a successful and championship-caliber squad.” Unquote
In Baker’s case, he’s close IMO. He’s got the TALENT and LEADERSHIP & MATURITY, but still lacks CONSISTENCY. In time I’m convinced that he’ll achieve that. So could he become a franchise QB? Most definitely. Is he there now? Not quite. But few are.
March 8th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Fred McNeil Says:
March 8th, 2025 at 11:59 am
Gipper, I wouldn’t put Baker in the HOF just yet
=================================
Ok, no HOF yet, but this site has come a long way from arguing about Trask as QB of the future vs Baker as HOF material. Doesn’t matter to me. Have a strong feeling that Baker will continue to perform like last year. With that will come SB, MVP and eventually HOF talk. Drew Brees continues to be the best Baker comp. Future looks good for Tampa and Baker. After 2025 season, Baker will be the most popular sports celebrity in Florida.
March 8th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Who amongst us will be able to afford a game ticket when everything else will cost an arm, leg and your first born?
March 8th, 2025 at 6:02 pm
With a modestly average defensive coordinator focused full time on the defense, Baker would have at least 6 more wins, probably 8.
30ppg when Todd was a full time DC got the team to 15-5 and a Lombardi and then 14-5 and the infamous late game collapse against the Rams.
The Bucs have their franchise QB. What they need is an average defense.
March 8th, 2025 at 6:34 pm
Gipper . You must be a relative of Baker Mayfield or something I mean you can’t admit that he chocked in the past 2 playoff games. The only way the bucs should resigned Baker is if we at least get to a NFC Championship game.
March 8th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Oneilbuc,
Problem with this site is most never played football. Don’t want to re-litigate Bucs last two playoff losses but Baker didn’t choke in either. 2023 season Otton got too deep and almost ran into Godwin when pass was intercepted. Everyone knows that Otton should have sat down in front of the zone defense so he would be nowhere near Godwin. To say otherwise means Godwin ran the incorrect route. We all know that never happens with Godwin. The Bucs game McMillan over ran the handoff plus he was too deep. I have said that Mayfield should have just eaten the ball and fallen down. That isn’t Mayfield’s style. He always tries to make something out of a broken play. That’s what makes him such an exciting player to watch.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:03 pm
Mayfield has proven himself to be a team first guy both in on the field play and willingness to sacrifice contract money. The Bucs should show him the same respect by sweetening his deal a little if not this year at least in 26. You can quibble over Baker’s rating as a franchise guy or if he is responsible for the playoff loses on individual plays all you want. I’m damn happy to have a quality guy and player like him leading this team. There’s no quit in him and he could get better and better. We could and have done a lot worse. There’s no question he has the talent to get us to the SB with this team.
March 8th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
Baker is only concerned with one thing — cementing his legacy winning a Super Bowl this year. After that, the money situation takes care of itself.
March 9th, 2025 at 3:45 am
Onei, Saints game, week 6, 2024, score 31-27, 3:03 left in the 3rd quarter. Jet sweep to Sterling Shepard. That was THE correct way, depth, to run the sweep, 1 yard off the quaterbacks heels. McMillan was 1-3/4 to 2 yards off Bakers heels. Look at Kansas City running the sweep it’s just like Sterlings route. Anyone that knows football knows you run it exactly 1 yard off the quaterbacks heels. Little more or little less gets you a problem, there is no room for various depths, the timing and speed of the play just won’t allow it. But you will disagree because you either never played or coached football or just dislike Baker. Either way it’s not hard for anyone to know the truth, that 1 yard is the goal and anyone can see McMillan didn’t run the 1 yard and that’s why he got the ball in his oblique instead of the gut. Even PFT said McMillan was too deep. It really is pitiful that you people that don’t like Baker no longer have much of anything to complain about so you have to latch on to anything, like he chokes. I really hate to tell you but when a quarterback has a passer rating of 146.5 like Baker did in the game in question you just say thank you Baker you are amazing under pressure in the big games. But not the haters. Then there is the 83.3% completion percentage in the same game. That’s almost 20% better than mahomes did in the playoffs and 45% better than mahomes in the playoffs passer rating. But Bakers a choker. You haters are something else. I guess you serve a purpose in keeping that chip on Bakers shoulder. The truth is Baker will dominate even more in 2025 much to you boys chagrin.
March 9th, 2025 at 4:38 am
Bucs have the talent, need a ckach with a brain Bowles” we play not to lose then try to win” sounds al lot like Tony Dumbgy…#1 defense 10 years. No ring. Goes to Colts #1 offense 11 years. 1 ring. Give us Arians Gruden…guys that play to win. Heck everybody hTed Dilfer. Under Dumbgy left town 1st year with a fefensive team (Ravens) won Super Bowl 1st year….in Tampa Stadium…as a town Tampa is soft. Been here 37 years. Best fight we have is Tampa vs. Pennilas Cty(retired midwest U.S. old losers pinching pennies).
March 9th, 2025 at 7:19 am
Well stated Davyboy
March 9th, 2025 at 10:47 am
Baker is thinking long term providing stability for his family. He is tired of bouncing around the league. Yes he is undervalued but he can play for a long time then start a broadcasting career.
March 9th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Wow Onei it just hit me what you said. Remember before Baker we were supposed to win 4 games…. not that much has changed since 2023, talent wise. But now you “expect” to go all the way or you would be willing to ditch the player that makes that even possible, accordingto the head coach anyway.
2024:
-Baker led the league in scrambling for 1st downs.
-Led the league in completion percentage 71.4%
-Basically tied for second in passer rating 108.1
-Quarterbacked the third highest scoring offense, without 2 of the teams starting receivers.
So… you would take the smartest running quarterback,
the most accurate passing quarterback,
the second most all around performing quarterback
and when you put those 3 together you get the 3rd highest scoring offense in the league, without your star receivers for a good portion of the season. If Evans and especially Godwin wouldn’t have gotten hurt there is no telling where we would have landed scoring wise. 1st or second I would imagine.
That’s the guy you would actually get rid of? He is just hitting his prime and he’s the one you would say bye bye to?? 🤔
Baker, Baker the head coach maker…. 😂
March 9th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
as a ex clowns fan that seen my ex team since I knew what football was and no offense before baker came there best QB was kosar other wise we are the AFC Tampa and Detroit i have watched him be trashed and disrespected from media when name one QB in history that in his rookie season 13 starts 14 app come to a team that was 4 and 44 in 4 season won 7 games broke a 20 yr record and mind u manning had 27 tds and 27 pics backer 28-14 didn’t get rookie of the yr did it with no line bottom end D and Jarvis Landry as his best receiver and lost his hc and oc then gets his 3rd oc and coach who was a moron had down season in 3rd yr he was a helmet to helmet no call away from division championship game and first playoff app in 20 yrs with the 26/28 ranked defense COVID yr a coach that made him run a 3 te system and his only receiver was Landry yes he had chubb but that’s it 4th yr before he got hurt he left the league with 88 % completion per the played all but one game with a injury that no one but far e would have done a coach that literally tried to end his career literally so they could justify which a true Cleveland fan like me didn’t accept
March 9th, 2025 at 4:08 pm
When Baker becomes a bit more of a game manager and slightly less of a gambler then he will be an even more consistent close game winner.
He has matured as a person so no reason he won’t mature as a player. If he can just be fortunate enough to have consistency in an offensive scheme for more than one year he might look more like a franchise QB. Anyway, I want him to be our guy for many years to come.