The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not given Baker Mayfield and extension, and it will likely remain that way throughout the season. General Manager Jason Licht addressed the situation on Tuesday morning.
This offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have dealt with multiple contract disputes, with key players like Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea making noise with ongoing negotiations.
Vea, who went as far to ask for a trade, was given a one-year extension worth $30 million, but it seems that Mayfield will play out this year on the final year of his current deal.
On Tuesday, General Manager Jason Licht talked about the offseason as a whole, while saying that the focus has shifted to Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"We certainly respect him [Mayfield] wanting to focus on this season. We’re focused on this season. I’ve been here long enough to know that in this league, you don’t make decisions on what could happen, what will happen, what won’t happen," Licht said. "Right now, I’ve been waiting to say this for a long time - ‘It’s on to Cincinnati.'"
The deadline Licht is referring to is the start of training camp, as Mayfield had frequently said that he would turn his focus to the upcoming year if a deal was not done by mandatory training camp.
Reports surfaced that the Bucs had offered Mayfield a two-year deal worth north of $100 million, but this wasn't the long-term structure that Tampa's signal caller was looking for.
Talks of franchise tagging Mayfield next offseason have been floated as well, but going that route raises a lot of uncertainty surrounding his future with the franchise.
Last season, Mayfield was tenth in the NFL with 3,693 passing yards, throwing for 26 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions, but his numbers don't tell the full story of Tampa's strange season.
Following Tampa's strong 5-1 start to the season, the Bucs dropped seven of their last nine to end the year, losing the NFC South crown for the first time in five seasons.
After the 5-1 start, Mayfield was in talks for MVP consideration, but lingering injuries and key players missing time around him stunted his strong start and threw a wrench in the Bucs' season.
This season, Mayfield teaming up with new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson projects to work well, as the former Atlanta Falcons play caller worked closely with former offensive coordinator Liam Coen and offensive guru Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams.
Mayfield excelled in Coen's motion-heavy scheme two seasons ago, and Robinson loves to get his best players moving pre-snap.
Coen was asked about how he thinks Robinson will fare in Tampa Bay at the NFL Owners Meetings, asking him if he is predicting a revival-type season for Mayfield and the Bucs offense.
“I am,” Coen told the media that were assembled at the NFL Owners Meetings this week In Arizona. “ Obviously their connection – they have a prior relationship, and again, that definitely helps with Baker. He’s going to probably be teed off – a little ticked off to have a better season, get back to the playoffs and do some of those things."
Coen and head coach Todd Bowles linked back up at the two teams' recent joint practices, where they talked about their relationship with each other and appreciation for their contributions.
With the added fire from Mayfield's contract disputes with the team, he should be in for a big first-year under Robinson.
