The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield have been involved in a public contract standoff as the quarterback prepares to enter the final year of his deal.
Mayfield spoke to reporters recently and revealed that he and the team remain far apart on an extension. He also set a hard deadline of training camp, saying he would cut off contract talks and play out the final year of his contract if a deal isn’t reached by then.
But a recent report suggests that Mayfield’s hard stance could be more of a negotiating tactic than a genuine ultimatum, and that the two sides remain likely to strike a deal before Mayfield’s deadline.
Baker Mayfield is reportedly prepared to accept Buccaneers’ best contract offer
CBS Sports NFL Insider, ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, recently shared some insight that he’s heard surrounding Mayfield’s contract situation.
“My understanding is the Buccaneers believe [Mayfield] will take their best offer before [training] camp opens,” Florio said via PFT. “That’s Step 1. Whatever their best offer is before camp opens, he’ll take it. That’s what I believe the Bucs believe, based upon the people I’ve talked to.
Florio’s scoop would indicate that Mayfield is looking to get the Bucs to increase their offer as much as possible, but that he’ll ultimately accept their best fair offer as long as not a lowball.
Mayfield’s current contract is one of the great bargains of the league, paying him $33.3 million annually, good for No. 16 in the league.
There are 12 quarterbacks making at least $50 million per season, and it’s fair to assume that Mayfield would like to join that group.
A contract worth exactly $50 million per season would satisfy Mayfield with the passive pay raise he deserves, and he’d still only be the 13th-highest paid quarterback in the NFL. That’s a no-brainer.
The Bucs shouldn’t draw this out longer than they need to. Mayfield has delivered a solid three seasons for Tampa Bay, and he’s even been elite in spurts. Throughout the first half of last season, he was considered an MVP frontrunner.
It sure sounds like Mayfield is willing to work with the Buccaneers, and wants to stay home in Tampa Bay where he’s enjoyed the best years of his career.
Rejoice, Bucs fans! In all likelihood, a deal is on the horizon to solidify Mayfield’s status as the franchise quarterback in Tampa Bay and keep him as the team’s quarterback for years to come.
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