Tension mounts in Tampa as contract talks stall. Despite rumors of a disgruntled quarterback, the front office bets Mayfield will blink first and sign before training camp.
Publicly, the contract standoff between Baker Mayfield and the Bucs has been civil.
The quarterback has refused to let the negotiations affect his approach to the 2026 season. Mayfield has been part of every team practice and has maintained his regular presence in the community.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach Todd Bowles has backed his QB in negotiations and has expressed his desire for Mayfield to stay in Tampa long-term. General manager Jason Licht has also talked about how much the team and city love Mayfield.
Behind the scenes, though, it seems that there may be some tension starting to build.
Mayfield spoke to reporters a couple of days ago and bluntly said that there has been no progress in the extension talks. He also defended himself against the team's public claims that he "neglects his health" by taking too many unnecessary hits while scrambling.
ESPN's Booger McFarland appeared on NFL Live to speak about Tampa's other contract dispute with defensive tackle Vita Vea. McFarland went off topic, saying the Bucs should be more concerned with Mayfield's situation and that the QB is "very disgruntled."
It seems as though Tampa isn't concerned that its franchise quarterback doesn't seem very happy.
Maybe that's because the Bucs simply believe that Mayfield will accept whatever is their best offer before his self-imposed training camp deadline.
According to NBC Sports NFL Insider Mike Florio, that's exactly the case. On PFT, Florio explained the team thinks Mayfield will sign an extension before training camp.
“My understanding is the Buccaneers believe [Mayfield] will take their best offer before [training] camp opens,” Florio said. “That’s Step 1. Whatever their best offer is before camp opens, he’ll take it. That’s what I believe the Bucs believe, based upon the people I’ve talked to.”
Are The Bucs Playing With Fire?
Just assuming that Mayfield will accept whatever the Bucs offer him is playing with fire. They are counting on him not wanting to risk an injury and leave $100 million in guaranteed money on the table.
While it's understandable to hope that, it isn't something Tampa should take for granted. Mayfield has already pushed back on the team's injury concerns. He may push back if he feels the Bucs are trying to low-ball him.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs just reset the QB market with his new contract extension. Does Mahomes' deal mean we will see quarterback salaries significantly jump? There are already 12 QBs who make at least $50 million per year.
If the Bucs don't meet that benchmark (at minimum), Mayfield may just decide to play out the final season of his current contract and test his market next year. He would have no shortage of suitors if Tampa allows him to become a free agent.
Final Thoughts
If Tampa thinks that Mayfield will just sign an extension without getting what he wants, this could turn into a lengthy dispute. If the Bucs offer Mayfield his fair market value before training camp begins, I do think he will happily sign.
However, if McFarland is right that he is "very disgruntled," Mayfield might not do the Bucs any favors, especially if they continue to take shots at him in public, as they did over their injury concerns.
Hopefully, this gets resolved quickly and smoothly. However, if Tampa is assuming Mayfield will agree to whatever they offer, the Bucs may see another one of their best players walk away, as Mike Evans did.
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