How To Keep The Team Together Without Blowing The Budget
February 23rd, 2024
Negotiations.
Quality Bucs chatter yesterday on “The Lombardi Line” seen on VSiN.
Former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi, the former coffee fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, was discussing NFC South teams.
His co-host, Stormy Buonantony, asked Lombardi to name 2024 goals for Bucs’ AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Basically, Lombardi said Licht cannot panic trying to re-sign Baker Mayfield.
“They were in cap hell last year,” Lombardi said. “And I think the worst thing they can do is go back to cap hell again.
“They won five of the last six games which got them in the playoffs and then they beat the Eagles in the playoff game.
“Let’s put things in perspective. Mayfield was good, but he’s not worth $50 million a year. So he’s going to be a free agent. Like, who is competing with you for Mayfield? You have to get the right contract for Mayfield.”
That’s a helluva point. No need to fight a market that may not be there. Joe is still convinced Atlanta will kick the tires on Mayfield.
And Joe also thinks Denver is a sneaky team to watch. You know Sean Payton would love to acquire a veteran quarterback and something tells Joe that Payton would love Mayfield’s feisty personality.
But Lombardi is right. Few teams will bid against the Bucs for Mayfield. And Mayfield has stated he wants to return. This shouldn’t be a hard sell.
Lombardi added he didn’t think either Licht or Mayfield would quibble over $1-2 million a year. But if Mayfield wants, say, $10 million more a year than Licht offers, Lombardi said if Licht caves that’s going to cost him and the Bucs two players that he and the Bucs can no longer afford to keep unless Licht wants to return to cap hell.
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:40 am
I can’t see why Pittsburgh wouldn’t want him, esp considering their current roster
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:42 am
Well the front office is still paying off the price for the last time they kept the band together.
FA Jenga or OBP THUNDER DOME … 3 men enter only 2 stay in Pewter and Rec
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:48 am
No more than 25-28 per year
Don’t care what anyone thinks he’s nothing more than a streaky .500
Qb. Would rather roll out Trask and draft another young gun and a wolford
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:55 am
Here’s a thought, take Justin fields off Chicago’s hands for our 2nd round pick. It’s less expensive than what Baker is going to cost. You get an able qb that’s over 6’ and use the first pic to grab the best Center in the draft. You instantly fix your running game and get a very young and highly talented qb that can keep up with the changing NFL offensive schemes.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:07 am
Let him go 🚶♂️ small money or no money form us smh we have to keep Big mike!!!!!
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:17 am
If Payton thinks he would be getting another Brees boy would he be in for a shock. Lol. Keep Winfield ….Evans…..David….Wirfs next year. The rest will be plug and play. The talent will take this team to the playoffs. Just like last year with a QB that nobody wanted. Go bucs!!!
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:20 am
So 10 million will cost the Bucs two players? Kinda feels like a gut punch wondering what could have been if the Bucs had signed Mayfield and Evans a few days ago. It could have saved what..14-15 million total towards the cap?
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:22 am
Licht isn’t caving and there is an unusual amount of other FA and draft options this year for QB’s. Cousins I think we would all agree is the better QB who would you rather pay 50 mill to? Cousins or Baker? I think just watching Baker and seeing his personality I think he just wants a fair deal and to continue fixing his career. I think we give him the best chance to continue the resurrection.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:31 am
Nobody really knows what fully is going on. The players, the agents, and the GM’s are not fully aware. Read an article recently on Tyreek Hill and his negotiations with Chiefs. Hill instructed his agent by no means did he want to leave KC, the agent was trying to get the Max for Hill and thought KC was being cheap. So they floated out the idea that he just might leave after the next year of playing. KC bought the bluff and told the Hill camp that they were going to search out some trade for him. It was crazy, no one knew how their strategies would play out. Hill got a boat load of money but not on the team he desired.
I think these negotiations will end up the same way with a player or possibly 2 of them this year for the Bucs.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:46 am
Not many agree that Cousins is currently a better QB – Bleacher Report just mentioned that yesterday. There are no better options in FA – and the draft…at #26, you’re going to reach for a QB who won’t be ready to start for 2 years, and you still won’t have competency at QB.
THAT would be devastating. No more “lost” decades – we’ve played that game too many times.
Baker Mayfield is still the best option. I’m not sure negotiations have begun, but we’ve already seen his value rise from $25m to $30m – and even acknowledge a $36m franchise tag. I think it may get to the point that Baker’s representation will want to see what his value is. If there is a team that wants to pay him “crazy” money, we’ll see.
If you think Mike Evans is coming back to play with Kyle Trask, Michael Pennix, or even Kirk Cousins – you’re nuts. He’ll be a Houston Texan the minute Bake signs elsewhere. See, Houston would have a better shot at a Super Bowl if CJ Stroud is throwing to Mike Evans versus anyone other than Mayfield is quarterbacking the Bucs next season.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:53 am
With Coen coming in as OC, I think Baker will have a similar year as last year – if Evans is around. I understand the concerns about Baker regressing – so build an incentive laden contract.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:53 am
I think basically only losing teams are competing for BM. Winners do not want him
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
Since76- the difference in this coming up season and last season was schedule, schedule is gonna be tougher this season so it would be better to have everyone return instead of trying to build chemistry and learn new offense with a new free agent qb or a drafted one. Bucs would be best to hope they can get mayfield and Evans back, or they both will be gone
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:01 am
Nobody knows what will happen, or what Licht/Glazers are thinking.
No one.
Welcome to the worst football season: NFL Liar’s Poker until Draft Day +1.
Just don’t take Bo Callahan.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:02 am
Don’t think Artie Smith saw anything special in the two games he faced the Bucs last season. Pittsburgh is No.
Cousins will probably sign a lesser/team friendly deal to stay at the Vikings. That will affect the Market High End.
Payton should make a play for Winston to get him thru his cap Hell. Probably the best thing that could happen for Jameis right now too.
Band was better in 2021 and were proven with a Super Bowl win. Going back to that cap place to win the Division is not a Great move.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:04 am
Don’t care what Lombardi thinks. He was a part of never ending failures at Cleve Browns. There is a lot of tape on Mayfield with Cleve and now Tampa and to say he is a one year wonder is nonsense. With lousy teams his first 6 years in the NFL, compare almost identically to Brees and Brady. Not talking about W and L just talking about TD, Comp%, INT. Before the screwballs on this site say that W and L are the only things that matter, I suggest you look at 10+ years of Matt Stafford at Detroit. On a well coached ,talented Rams team, Stafford immediately wins a Super Bowl.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:07 am
If Baker has protection he is a QB we don’t want to lose. I believe something will be worked out. Without a QB the Bucs are battling for last place in a poor division. And Penix with his long laundry list of injuries is not the answer. He will struggle to stay on the field in the NFL.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:09 am
@D Cone: Payton wants NOTHING to do with ATM.
….
How about a Dean for Wilson trade if Denver takes some Wilson salary…IF Mayfield goes elsewhere? I do not think Wilson is done, he just did not fit Payton’s “Drew Brees” template.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:15 am
Fantasy land some people live in
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:17 am
@Joe
Some of us here at your site being saying this for weeks, DO NOT OVERPAY, that brings you back to cap hell……There is no money for everyone…..
If you pay everybody, we will be in the same situation as last year, with older players and average players with big contracts, nothing to be proud of…
If Atlanta or NE want to pay 35/40mm for Baker, just let him go, is just bad business, If Houston is willing to pay 25 mm for ME13 just let him go too….
This stupid bad decisions will make you come back to the same hole we’ve been so many years…..
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:17 am
Cobraboy … ‘Welcome to the worst football season: NFL Liar’s Poker until Draft Day +1.’
NFL Liar’s Poker … great analogy Cobra.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:18 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.
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 9:22 am
Joe … ‘But Lombardi is right. Few teams will bid against the Bucs for Mayfield. And Mayfield has stated he wants to return. This shouldn’t be a hard sell.’
PRECISELY! JL won’t let this contract break the bank, and Baker knows that. He wants to return. Duh … how hard can it be?
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:31 am
Don’t want to lose Baker, but you could be right about Payton taking him. They are quietly sneaky. Jameis is also a free agent, maybe Payton will take him instead? He did before.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:34 am
We all know Mayfield is not gonna get $ 50 mil a year. I think what Mayfield is looking at and want is, around $28 to $35 mil 3 years. This is the range that seems to be market value for Mayfield. He was decent last year but he didn’t have a year like the Rookie down in Texas did. However, I think Mayfield is gonna be a lot better this year if the Bucs re sign him. It will be his second year in the same type offense and offensive personnel hopefully if they re sign Evans
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:56 am
Was that a bad thing? They were on the cusp of an NFC title game. Lots of teams wished they were the Bucs in January.
Always remember the salary cap figures do not determine wins and losses. The real problem is when losing teams get in salary cap hell. Then a team is really screwed.
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:07 am
Gipper: You continue to teach a graduate-level course on Baker Mayfield and football common sense my friend. As I’ve said before, Baker will re-sign with the Bucs for $35M for 3-4 years, plus incentives. And that would be very team-friendly deal considering the market. Would love to have Evans back as well. But I don’t think that Evans would look forward to catching passes from Justin Fields, do you?? Does anybody?
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:20 am
Joe … ‘Always remember the salary cap figures do not determine wins and losses. The real problem is when losing teams get in salary cap hell. Then a team is really screwed.’
Yea verily. You mean like the 2022 Bucs who went 8-9 in the regular season with Tom Brady at the helm, then found themselves in salary CAP he11 in 2023 thanks to the $81.6 mil of Dead CAP and $11.0 mil of IR debt? THAT salary CAP he11?
And yet we managed to improve just a tad to 9-8 in 2023, win another NFC South title, and actually make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs.
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:31 am
@PopcornMike – right on the money. I LIKE Baker… but I do NOT think he’s worth $50M/yr. Though, he has never lost to JBurrows, who gets $55M/yr. And I know BM thinks he’s better than Daniel Jones who gets $40M per year. He has said so in past.
That’s the problem. By stats, he’s a mid-to upper tier qb (somewhere in the 12-18 range). Some of that is him, some of that is he’s played for some truly crappy teams. But that’s what his record shows. Guys in that range make between $20M and $35M/yr, and he’s probably looking to be at the top of that range.
So, the only real difference between what he’s looking at and the franchise tag is $1-2M per year. BUT, if they tag him, they pay it all this year and do this whole thing again next year, while if they sign him, they can lock him up for 3-4 years (with an out, probably) and push off some of the cap hit.
I suspect this is exactly what JL is trying to do. IF I was JL, I’d get AWjr signed first, maybe for $20M avg, but with a big bonus early. That frees up my franchise tag for Mayfield if I need it. THEN, I would try to get ME under contract next… cause that will free up some cap space with another big bonus… and cause you then have til March 5th to decide on Baker.. or you tag him and keep negotiating.
Either way, JLs gonna keep Baker, at somewhere around $35M/yr average. The question is it for 1 year or more?
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:45 am
Lol.
Again ,Joe has guys who have never made 100,000 a year, discussing their terms for a $30-40 million dollar a year contract.
I hope its as funny to so some of you as it is to me!
How do I know youve never made over $100,000 a year?
When I see any post that is a long these lines
“I wouldnt pay Mayfield over 25 million”, orany of the dozens of variations to those wonderful hypothetical contracts.
You’ll never see a million. No one who has a million would ask your opinion.
No one who has a million would ever talk to you.
And you cant understand the fact that what most of the Buc players have for dinner, cost more than you make a month.
Yet the contract proposals will continue non-stop until Free agency ends.
And Ill be laughing every day while reading them!
Who needs the funny papers? Lol
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:51 am
@Joe.
NO Saints is a perfect example…..They pay everybody….
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:54 am
Priority should be keeping Baker and Winfield. It would be a luxury to keep Mike. If he truly wants to be a Buc for life he would sign a team friendly deal at age 31. However, it does not appear he has any desire to do that. He wants to get paid….period. If that is the case they need to let him walk. Don’t pay for past performance or legacy. He is now on the wrong side of 30, drops way too many passes, and has become a lazy route runner. I expect Mike to leave and have a significant drop in production over the next two years. 28 million for an aging WR is just not smart
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:08 am
It’s the silly season. Mock drafts dont mean crap until the GM’s flesh out tge bones (post top 10, that’s how many blue chippers are usually there). Plus it’s like poker, every GM is gonna float rumors through the “insiders”
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:19 am
I’m not sure why all of a sudden 4,000 yards is so great with 17 games when Crab Legs threw for 5,000 in 16 games and had 5 more TD’s. You better check yo sheet. All kidding aside. He had a pretty good season and they aren’t running the no risk it no biscuit offense anymore. He definitely got better as the season progressed but Canton isn’t calling for his cleats if you know what I mean. Kirk Cousins is a better passer
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:36 am
First , Lombardi is no baker fan. His son was former qb coach at Carolina. He all but wrote baker off at last seasons beginning. Secondly, the saints, currently in cap hell, just magically reworked carrs contract, freeing up 23 million. Licht can pay everyone he wants. Lastly, this idea that only a few teams want baker is asinine. By most metrics, baker finished as 11th rated qb. Raiders, patriots, broncos, Steelers, Bucs, and falcons would salivate to get baker. Once dak resets market with his new deal , people are going to stroke out when baker gets paid, bottom end, Daniel jones money( most likely more).
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:42 am
BUCman Says:
. If he truly wants to be a Buc for life he would sign a team friendly deal at age 31. However, it does not appear he has any desire to do that. He wants to get paid….period. If that is the case they need to let him walk. Don’t pay for past performance or legacy.
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Yep my assessment as well. Mike is almost certainly testing free agency and Front office should be prepared to make him walk. Its not a bad time to do it either given the WR draft
OF course such talk upsets the Evans egirls who want to sign him for any amount ( “pay the man”) but One Buc doesn’t think like EEs or they wouldn’t have looked the other way and whistled like they didn’t hear anything when Evans agent gave a deadline demand.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:48 am
Capt.Tim Says:
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:45 am
Yet the contract proposals will continue non-stop until Free agency ends.
And Ill be laughing every day while reading them!
Who needs the funny papers? Lol+
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lol you are not the only one. Yesterday one of them ended their comment with a statement as if fact –
“So 25 Million it is”
Like he actually was the Bucs Gm or last name was Glazer. Who needs Late Night?
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:51 am
Buccos- Kirk might be a better passer, up for debate, but one thing that not up for debate, baker coming back would be continuity with the same players and a oc that’s he’s worked with before, kirk is 35, and coming off of a serious Achilles tear. On top of that he’ll be more expensive and also have to build chemistry and learn a new system, baker is the better and safer bet
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:55 am
Morons
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:59 am
BucsMarley say roll another blunt cause u have no common sense
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:01 pm
I can trough 10,000 yds but if u ain’t in the playoffs it’s a stupid gesture baker got us in playoffs & played damn good
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Capt Tim … ‘Again ,Joe has guys who have never made 100,000 a year, discussing their terms for a $30-40 million dollar a year contract. I hope its as funny to so some of you as it is to me’.
You know what’s even funnier than that to me Tim? Reading comments from those who attempt to denigrate others for simply stating their OPINION. It’s quite hilarious that there are some among us who in this day and age don’t appreciate what a blog is all about.
What the vast majority of JBFers have in common is that they love the Bucs and want them to be successful. Different folks just have different ideas about how to achieve that. And there-in lies the beauty (and fun) of sites like JoeBucsFan.
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:27 pm
Sean Payton can’t afford Baker. They’re in far worse of a cap situation than us. Jameis far more likely given price tag and familiarity with system.
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:58 pm
I know Brady won us a superbowl but signing retreads every two or three years is not building a base for the future. I would rather try to draft the next Mahomes or Brady and set the team up for years to come. Then Todd Bowles is not Andy Reid so that won’t happen.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Defense Rules Says:
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:26 pm
You know what’s even funnier than that to me Tim? Reading comments from those who attempt to denigrate others for simply stating their OPINION. It’s quite hilarious that there are some among us who in this day and age don’t appreciate what a blog is all about.
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and the funniest of all is you writing that not realizing that the free exchange of opinions includes people having the freedom to disagree with you , your logic and the freedom to say what they consider funny.
You can always tell the eople who don’t understand freedom of speech and opinions – they sware it only aplies to them.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:18 pm
Keep up Joe n Lombardi too!! there r 7-yes seven -count them who could and would not only go 4 Baker but bring Mike along with him and who knows who else??? was in several media newsposts yesterday and 2day and 4 of them could afford to overpay both players ya’ll-all of them except 1-2 are on our side of division and so would really sting-but Lordy-the Patriots have 75mil in capspace and the right coaches and the desire for Mayfield and Evans-quit quibbling-pay him around 40 and a 4-5 year deal+bonuses of course and pay Evans for once-his asking of 38-30and a 4-5year deal and lets go WIN THE SUPERBOWL WHILE BOTH GUYS WANT 2 STAY WITH TB BUCS!!!!
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Bakerbucs
Your name says it all. Been a fan longer than you for sure due to my age😂
And baker is and always will be a .500 streaky qb. Understand your his agent and need to push his value.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:53 pm
This topic has quickly become a talking point for people who know nothing. What other coaches, teams and players are and have been saying about Baker is that the guy is a real talent, scary to play against, and a guy with a very high ceiling…he’s going to have good offers in free agency. If the BUCS come in at 28 mil as their ceiling, I am fairly confident he and Evans will play elsewhere next year. That might be okay with some and would free up a lot of cap space. Spending that crap space easily just might leave Tampa worse off than they are now however. It’s not often you get a 4000 plus yard QB who throws 28 TDs to only ten picks and plays great in playoff games.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Sware lol?
Now that’s freedom of speech.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:38 pm
OH NO!!! THE UNTHINKABLE HAS HAPPENED!!
The salary cap just went up THIRTY MILLION THIS SEASON!
Oh my Lawd!
This unexpected development will keep the contract law accountant/Krystal fry chefs up all night, trying to restructure the Bucs Payroll!!
Man, Drive thru will be so bogged down, My Pepsi Zero and Fries is gonna take an hour to procure!
Lmao!
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:16 pm
Did Capt Tim seriously just copy and paste the dummest comment all year?
Acting like salary makes a smart man. I guess Jamel Dean is a genius then!!!
You seriously need to sail your ship off a cliff.