Buccaneers' Mayfield on Negogiations: 'It is What it Is'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ QB Baker Mayfield told reporters Thursday how he felt about his current contract situation, and reiterated that in an interview with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

"It's disappointing," Mayfield said. "I'm not the first one to go through it like this. This is kind of historically how they've done negotiations. It's disappointing when you think you're a cornerstone of the franchise to be treated like that. But disappointing, I know the contract and salary cap, what's going on. Franchise tag isn't exactly in play for them. There'd be a lot of dead money. So it is what it is. And like I said, I'm fortunate, but on the side -- I'm in the best shape I've ever been in, in a really good place."

Mayfield went on to say that he knows many people have it worse than he does, but that, compared to other NFL quarterbacks, he should be paid accordingly. He also said that both he and Bucs ownership believe he’s a franchise quarterback, which adds to the frustration of not having a deal done. But at the end of the day, Mayfield and his camp set a deadline, and they decided to honor it.

Fowler reported that Mayfield’s contract breaking down was the result of multiple factors, such as

Mayfield again clarified to Fowler that, even if the Bucs try to negotiate, he wouldn’t listen. He told Bucs reporters Thursday at training camp that he would have a “really big year.” The Bucs need him to. After the way last season ended (seven losses in nine games to miss the playoffs), Tampa needs to get back to the postseason, at minimum for coach Todd Bowles’ job security to return to a comfortable level.

To get back to the playoffs, Mayfield will need to play more like he did in the first half (16 touchdowns, two interceptions through the first nine games, where the Bucs went 6-3) than he did in the second half  (10 touchdowns, nine interceptions in the last eight, where they went 2-6).For Mayfield to be at his best, he’ll probably have to be healthier than he was last year.

Although Mayfield played in each of Tampa’s 17 games, he did so with a variety of injuries that fully came to life after the season. Mayfield has always been known as a player not afraid to take risks, and Bowles has publicly stated his desire for Mayfield to be more careful.

Whether Mayfield can be more cautious and still be Baker Mayfield is a question, among many, that we might get the answer to in 2026.