Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield is a love him or hate him player in the NFL, and while there are a few people outside of Tampa Bay who can't stand his confidence and chip on his shoulder attitude, everyone in the Bay Area loves him, including the actual people making the decisions in the Buccaneers organization.
There are obviously plenty of fans around the NFL who love Mayfield's heart, determination, and raw talent, including people making decisions in front offices around the league who would love talks between Mayfield and the Bucs to collapse.
It's obvious that Mayfield is going to command a lot of money in his next contract, and he himself has made it quite clear to the Buccaneers that he isn't happy with the figures being offered right now. At this point, $50 million per season feels like the bare minimum for Mayfield, who is a talented quarterback playing in a league where we have seen mediocre quarterbacks making that kind of money on an annual basis.
There are a lot of strong opinions about Baker Mayfield and even some doomsayers, including some pretty bizarre takes in the media. But even though he is known for his hot take artistry and controversy on the radio waves - or even in the WWE - Pat McAfee actually had the most reasonable and level headed take on Mayfield's contract talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Baker Mayfield worries can be quelled
The former Indianapolis Colts punter said on his ESPN Radio show, via Joe Bucs Fan, “This news comes out and get [people] a little bit worried. I don’t think we’re anywhere near done negotiating.”
McAfee also addressed Mayfield's comments that he will not be negotiating his contract during the season, “I don’t think it’s necessarily the most negative thing on earth that this is happening."
As a former player himself, especially a player on a prime Colts team with a lot of big superstars (and egos), Pat McAfee knows a thing or two about what goes on during high stakes contract negotiations where a lot of money - and a lot of risk - is involved.
If he isn't too worried about Mayfield's future in Tampa Bay - and he would have every reason to blow this out of proportion for a hot take and viewership numbers - then Bucs fans can pump the brakes, too. Mayfield wants to be treated like a superstar quarterback, and the Buccaneers believe in him as a superstar quarterback.
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