Market Value Madness
March 13th, 2025
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht.
So one could argue Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Baker Mayfield will play this season for a combined $40 million under market value.
Jason Licht doesn’t even have compromising photos of these guys.
The Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager is killing it with below-market-value contracts. That saved money is paying for a hell of a lot on the Bucs’ roster. Jamel Dean should send each of those guys a Rolex.
This is another example of why the Bucs should be in win-now mode in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. These financial benefits can’t last forever.
Evans is in the final year of his contract. Mayfield could march into Licht’s office after this season and demand justice.
Regardless, the Bucs are in a unique situation with three Pro Bowl-level players taking one for the team.
It sure does speak to the Bucs’ culture that Licht gets to play with 10 or 15 percent more cap room than other teams because of what’s been crafted inside the walls of One Buc Palace.
Joe wonders how long Licht himself will be willing to work for below market value.
March 13th, 2025 at 10:35 am
what is cap situation like, can bucs swing more moves?
March 13th, 2025 at 10:39 am
That photo says it all. The guy just always looks like he’s having fun. He loves this organization, the players, owners, coaches and all the other personnel that make the Buccaneers a quality organization. But most of all, I think he loves his job, as stressful as it may be at times. And that love and enthusiasm certainly trickles on down through the entire organization. Jason, you are the man, sir!
March 13th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Based on how FA going so far i really feel Jason and staff thinks very highly of this years draft prospects coming up…i could see 2-3 starters drafted this year. Could trade back and acquire more picks as well. It’s a lot of quality football players in the early second to third round…TYLER WARREN👀👀👀
March 13th, 2025 at 10:52 am
If Baker can’t win a playoff game this year, he’ll have a tough time marching into the GM office and demanding top pay. I like Baker and he has won me over. But the top QBs get the bag because they win playoff games. Not meaningless NFC South participation trophies. Baker is 1-2 in the playoffs with Tampa. He beat a weakened Eagles team last year then lost in the second round. This year it was one and done to a rookie. No risk it, no biscuit.
March 13th, 2025 at 10:53 am
so why did the Bucs score so poorly in the NFLPA survey? The fact that so many players are willing do play at under market value to be here and players like Bredesen and Barrett rave about the culture and the team, I wonder which guys are disgruntled and what their beef is? Shut up and pay for daycare like the rest of us.
March 13th, 2025 at 11:00 am
The GOAT, Tom Brady, played for under his market value as well when he was in Tampa. Maybe that was an influence on some of these other guys.
March 13th, 2025 at 11:30 am
Draft team 1st, quality players. Then treat them fairly. And you have this situation
March 13th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Difference between Godwin and Mayfield is Chris could have gotten a lot more elsewhere and there were teams interested.
Will be interesting to see what Darnold does out in Seattle after making what is getting to be known as the Baker Mayfield deal. Bucs vs Seattle on the road in 2025.
Had Mayfield been asking 15-20 million after his stint with the Rams he may have had 1 or 2 teams interested. At a 4 million asking price he got the opportunity to pick his spot. Smart Move. Would he have had the same success at the Giants or Patriots at 15 million? I doubt it. Team Owners are loving him because more QB’s will be coming in lower in free agency just to have work.
Chiefs were up against history on a three peat last season and the Bucs are up against it this season with 5 straight NFCS Titles.
Going to be a little tougher now that a middle of the road Commanders Defense has shown how to hold a team averaging 265 a game to 189.
Hopefully Gizzaed will frame up an offense that isn’t 90% Red Zone type plays and Mayfield will find a way to be more accurate on Intermediate and Long throws down the field.
March 13th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Trade Dean for a 5th!
March 13th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Pay that myan his mahney.
-Teddy KGB
March 13th, 2025 at 5:21 pm
BucDawg Says:
“If Baker can’t win a playoff game this year, he’ll have a tough time marching into the GM office and demanding top pay.”
Sorry but this is not correct. The market is what it is and numbers simply don’t support your assertion. Please don’t shoot the messenger.
Per OverTheCap.com, there are 17 QBs with a higher Ave/year salary than Baker. Of those, only 7 have more playoff wins than Baker (2). So ten don’t.
Five have ZERO playoff wins: Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray, Derek Carr and Sam Darnold.
Four have only ONE playoff win: Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson and Kirk Cousins.
One has the same number as Baker, that being Dak Prescott.
Yes some have fewer years in the league and some have more years in the league. But their length of time in the league and their relative success still got them paid more.
Also, while the Bucs lost this year to Washington, that was entirely on Bowles, not Baker. Happy to back that statement up if you want the gory details.
March 13th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
Thanks Critmark. Couldn’t have said it better. Take that BS elsewhere.
March 13th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Remember how bad we were before this guy took over team operations? Dude used to jump into his pool with his suit on over regular season victories.
We’ve come a long way.
March 13th, 2025 at 11:57 pm
The NFL needs to change the cap rules to create maximum allowable salaries.
Front office types desperate to buy job security are ruining teams paying edge rushers $40 M and pretty much any amount to QB’s.
Assume a 2028 salary cap of $330 M.
On the 53 man roster, limit teams to 23 players on rookie contracts and 15% of the cap (~$45 M).
Set veteran minimum salary to 1% of cap ($3 M).
Reserve 15% of cap ($50 M) for league bonuses for top 3% of performers by position.
Allow the following maximum salaries:
– 10% of cap – 1 player $33 M
– 7% of cap – 4 players- (4 * $23 M)
For each of the top 5 salaries not used, give the team a 1% cap bonus.
Salaries for the remaining 25 veteran players must account for at least 90% of the remaining cap (at least 47% – $141 M) in a given year, and 95% on a rolling average.
Eliminate signing bonuses and void years, but allow guaranteed money.
March 14th, 2025 at 12:08 am
BucDawg,
Baker “lost” playoff games? Gee, many of thought that the rest of the team was involved in those losses. Baker has the highest combined ranking of any QB ever in the playoff games and that includes Brady.
After a very successful 2025 season, Licht will be renegotiating Baker because he will fear Baker becoming a free agent after 2026. So Baker won’t “be marching” anywhere. Licht will be doing the marching.