Taylor Lewan warns that stalling on a long-term deal for Baker Mayfield risks locker room stability as trade requests and rising quarterback markets threaten Tampa Bay’s future.
Former offensive tackle and podcaster Taylor Lewan had some advice for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers concerning stalled contract negotiations with quarterback Baker Mayfield recently on his podcast “Bussin’ With The Boys.”
Lewan stated the franchise not only needs to pay their quarterback, but doing so will have a calming effect on the team and franchise, as the Buccaneers are not only in negotiations with Mayfield, star defensive tackle and anchor of the defense Vita Vea has recently asked for a trade.
Lewan said striking a deal with Mayfield is the most important move Tampa Bay can make.
“You need the head of the snake in order to function at 100 percent,” Lewan said. “He’s going to be a leader and he’s going to be all ball, but everybody is going to know, if you pull him into a corner and ask ‘How do we feel?’ He’s going to be pissed off with the situation. But when it comes to the quarterback, it’s take care of your No. 1 guy first. Then it’s on Baker to go toward the Kirk Cousins role of how do we structure this contract so it can trickle down for everybody else.”
Mayfield, the former No. 1 overall draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2018, is in the final year of his deal and will play for $33.3 million. According to Adam Schefter, Tampa Bay offered a two-year deal worth more than $100 million total.
Last month Mayfield said there would be no further contract discussions until after the 2026 season.
“If you’ve waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that’s too bad because it’s only going to get worse from here,” Mayfield said. “I’m going to have a really big year.”
Mayfield has led the Buccaneers to two NFC South Division titles and a playoff win in his two seasons.
Heading into this season, Mayfield is the 16th-highest paid quarterback in the NFL and has used contract comparisons including Trevor Lawrence of Jacksonville ($55 million per year), Jordan Love of Green Bay ($55 million) and Brock Purdy of San Francisco ($53 million).
If a deal is not done after the season the 2027 free agent quarterbacks will include Deshaun Watson of Cleveland, Aaron Rodgers of Pittsburgh, Jacoby Brissett of Arizona, Cousins of Las Vegas and Justin Field of Kansas City, and Mayfield.
Lewan went on to say signing Mayfield will pay dividends.
“There’s a bit of yin and yang taking place,” Lewan said. “I always lean on the fact of ‘Let’s pay our boy. Let’s get our boy paid.’ And let’s make sure we have the continuity of this team and this franchise so that we feel really good about it.”
The Buccaneers will open their preseason at 7 p.m. ET on Aug. 14 against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
