Buccaneers GM Jason Licht needs to put his money where his mouth is on Baker Mayfield

Jason Licht stepped to the podium for his much-anticipated press conference as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers weather the storm of a pivotal offseason filled with major questions. 

Fans wanted to hear what the general manager had to say about the team’s two biggest storylines —  Baker Mayfield’s contract situation and Vita Vea’s trade request.

While Licht was expected to be a voice of reason and provide some clarity, his comments on Mayfield actually left more questions than answers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield contract offer doesn’t match Jason Licht’s comments 

Jason Licht was asked if the Buccaneers still view Mayfield as a franchise quarterback, and if so, why he reportedly was offered only a two-year deal with the team. 

“I’m not going to get into specifics about the contract stuff, but we do think he is [a franchise quarterback] and we love Baker. Our feelings for Baker haven’t changed," Licht said.

But the Buccaneers’ “feelings” about Mayfield are ultimately irrelevant if the offer doesn’t match the sentiment. 

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Buccaneers offered Mayfield a two-year deal worth just over $100 million.

However, ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported that Mayfield’s biggest concerns with Tampa Bay’s offer were the guaranteed money and the team’s unwillingness to commit beyond two seasons. The reported $100 million figure sounds substantial on paper, but guaranteed money carries more weight than the headline value of a contract. That’s why Laine’s added context is so important.

It also explains why Mayfield was so open about feeling disrespected by the offer. The veteran quarterback isn’t looking for another short-term prove-it deal. He wants the Buccaneers to commit to him with a long-term contract extension.

Since arriving in Tampa Bay, Mayfield has led the Buccaneers to a 27-24 regular-season record, two NFC South titles, and a playoff victory. Along the way, he has thrown 95 touchdown passes and 12,237 passing yards over three seasons, ranking second and third in the NFL during that span, respectively. 

Everyone inside the organization, from ownership to Licht to head coach Todd Bowles, has consistently expressed confidence that Mayfield is the franchise quarterback. 

So why isn’t the team treating him like one?  

If the Buccaneers were willing to add a third year to their offer and guarantee a larger portion of the contract, this saga could have been resolved by now. Mayfield would be locked in as the long-term quarterback, and the Buccaneers could enter the season without the distraction of his contract situation hanging over the team. 

Negotiations will resume next offseason, and if the Buccaneers are serious about Mayfield as their franchise quarterback, they need to put their money where their mouth is and present a contract offer that reflects that belief.

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