NFL insider just gave the Buccaneers a brutal reality check on Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield caused a stir last week when he told reporters that he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are far apart on talks for a contract extension. 

Mayfield has a number that he’d feel comfortable re-signing at, but the Buccaneers clearly aren’t willing to meet his demands as things currently stand. 

But based on the current quarterback market, it sure looks like Mayfield’s value is through the roof, and Tampa Bay will have to eventually give in and fork over a massive payday if they want to keep him as their long-term quarterback. 

Buccaneers will likely have to pay Baker Mayfield over $50 million per year on next contract 

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler spoke about the current state of affairs regarding Mayfield’s contract, and he thinks the Buccaneers will have to back up the Brink’s truck for their quarterback. 

“11 different quarterbacks in the NFL make at least $50 million a year. Mayfield could make the argument that he’s better than at least a few of them, so he’s going to need a significant raise,” said Fowler.

Mayfield is currently playing on a contract that pays him a $33 million yearly average, making him one of the greatest bargains in the league. It makes sense that he’s coming for his well deserved payday on this next contract. 

There are some notable quarterbacks that Mayfield is on the same tier, if not better than, that could impact negotiations. Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence are both making $55 million per year, while Jared Goff and Brock Purdy are each making $53 million per year. 

Mayfield is certainly in the same tier as that group of quarterbacks, so it’s safe to assume his agent wouldn’t dare take less than $50 million per season. 

There’s an argument that Purdy and Goff have had much more postseason success in terms of wins, which is why their teams were willing to commit to them with such lucrative contracts, but it’s a team sport, and those two quarterbacks are playing with much stronger supporting casts. 

On an individual level, Mayfield is actually the NFL’s all-time leader in postseason passer rating. So the Bucs’ 1-2 postseason record under Mayfield is far from his fault. 

The Bucs must’ve come with a real low ball for Mayfield to uncharacteristically go public with how far apart he and the team are in contract talks. 

All signs point to Mayfield playing out his contract year before the parties return to the negotiation table, but the Bucs are playing a dangerous game there. 

An elite season for Mayfield would drive his price tag even further, and it would open the door for other interested teams to try to pry him away from Tampa Bay. 

It’s an interesting saga playing out before our eyes, and one that will define the next few years of Bucs football.

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