Good offensive linemen do whatever they can to protect their quarterback.

Usually, it means saving him from an edge rusher or going after any defender who maybe got a hit in a hair too late.

Sometimes, it means having his back in front of the media.

That is what Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Cody Mauch did on Friday. Mauch spoke with the media and offered public support of his quarterback, Baker Mayfield, in his ongoing contract standoff with the team.

An article by Abby DiSalvo of the Tampa Bay Times details Mauch's unwavering faith in Mayfield as the QB's relationship with the Bucs has become contentious over the last couple of days.

After negotiations failed to produce a new deal, Mayfield ripped the team on Thursday, saying he felt "disrespected" and "undervalued" during the process. The organization was not happy with Mayfield airing his grievances in public and made it known that what they offered him was more in line with his value than Mayfield had led on.

Though Mayfield may have left the door open a crack for the possibility of making a deal during the season, his relationship with the team has soured. Some have sided with the quarterback, while others believe the team is only doing its due diligence. 

Count Mauch as one of the ones on Mayfield's side.

Mauch expressed his belief in Mayfield and thinks things will work out better for him in the end.

“It’s unfortunate, but he’s gonna go ball out, and it’s gonna get made right,” Mauch said. “No doubt in my mind he’s gonna do that and get even more money, so it’s gonna work out better for him in the end.”

Not only did Mauch say the offensive line "one hundred percent" considers Mayfield a franchise quarterback, but he also spoke of the trust they have in him.

“We trust him more than anything back there, too,” Mauch expressed. “I think we play well when we’re together. Also, if one of us gets beat, (Mayfield) is gonna go make some plays back there, so it means a lot that (Mayfield) has that much faith in us.”

Mauch was even more impressed by how Mayfield has handled the failed negotiations in his locker room communications, noting that he has kept his pledge not to let the contract take away any of his focus on the field.

“The biggest thing we took away from it is that we’re playing ball now. He’s not worried about contract stuff. It’s all about the 2026 Bucs."

Mauch is doing what a good teammate does: supporting his guy during a difficult situation. Hopefully, both Mayfield and the Bucs can find a way to get past this awkward moment and move forward.

Who knows? Maybe they will still get an extension done before it's too late. It appears that the length of Mayfield's next deal is more of an issue than the money. Maybe the two sides really aren't as far apart as it seems.

Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but Mauch is also entering the final year of his contract. A second-round pick in 2023, he is entering the last season of his four-year rookie deal worth a total of about $7.5 million

Also in line for a big payday, I'm sure Mauch will feel a lot better about his own situation if he sees the Bucs take care of Mayfield. Not only would it make him more confident that his own extension will get done, but it would also give him a better sense of the direction the franchise will be taking. Will Tampa remain a competitive, playoff-caliber team? Or will it begin somewhat of a rebuild?

As for now, Mauch is firmly in Mayfield's corner and is anticipating the quarterback getting what he wants by the time this is over.

One thing that can't be denied about Mayfield is that his teammates love playing for him and are willing to battle for him both on and off the field. 

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