Welcome Baker Mayfield

[Buc2]

People are allowed to believe things that will endear them to their favorite team. Even if it is b.s.

[Sooner06]

Probably. And tbf, in a couple years, after three of four QBs get $60M/yr, that won't look that bad.


But I could see Baker taking a little less because he's not driven by the $$$ at this point in his career. he wants to prove that he's a winner, and he knows that Licht surrounding him with the best team is his best chance to succeed. And he'll likely be amenable to structuring his deal so that it's as team-friendly as possible. Call it somewhere between $45M/yr and $50M/yr.

People keep posting the, "he's not all about the money and he'll take a discount from us because..." Is there any evidence that any of that is true, or is it the Pewter glasses that are being worn?

I assume you mean evidence other than his word or his behavior. And tbh, other than the fact that he took the deal TB offered him without quibbling about it, no. at least as far as i can actually remember. The only thing remotely close would be during the '21 offseason, when he was asked a few times in pressers about his upcoming extension negotiations, where he basically just said that he was going to let his agent and the organization work that out. he said that he wanted to play for the Browns and that he wanted to bring the CLE fans a SB, and that those were his only goals going into the season.


Now, you could say that was just a bunch of QB-speak, except Baker doesn't really do "QB-speak," does he? Also, his agent never contradicted him. Actually, I don't remember hearing anything at all from his agent. Same when he took TB's 3-yr offer; his agent didn't seem to really say much out loud about the negotiations as they happened.


And he bought a house in TB, and the adjacent lot to his, so it doesn't seem like he's going anywhere soon. Given that, I just doubt he's going to try to bend TB over the table when the time comes.

[Sooner06]

Probably. And tbf, in a couple years, after three of four QBs get $60M/yr, that won't look that bad.


But I could see Baker taking a little less because he's not driven by the $$$ at this point in his career. he wants to prove that he's a winner, and he knows that Licht surrounding him with the best team is his best chance to succeed. And he'll likely be amenable to structuring his deal so that it's as team-friendly as possible. Call it somewhere between $45M/yr and $50M/yr.

I love how we try to pretend THIS organization is the only one in the league with players who are somehow more noble and "true team guys" that aren't driven by money like every other team is as if that's something to brag about.



Edit: @acmillis Theres this recent, new found agenda people here have to stroke Jason Licht's ego, that he's this GM that only selects great, wholesome team guys who may or may not be great at football, but they aren't ass holes and they take less money because winning matters more. The only guys that the "take less" portion has been true of is Evans.

I wasn't predicating my opinion on my view of TB. Over the last 4-5 decades I've seen players take a little less or have their contracts structured in ways that are more team-friendly than another's. I assume we all have, if we've been watching more than a few years. Hell, I remember when Jerry Rice gave $$$ back to SF one year, for whatever reason I don't remember anymore. Jerome Bettis took a big paycut so PIT could get under the cap. And didn't Luke Kuechly take less $$$ jsut because he wanted to stay in CAR when he easily could've demanded to be paid as the highest paid LB in NFL history? And iirc, against his agent's wishes?

And those are just off the top of my head. And my memory sucks.


EDIT: And Mahomes, of course. Pat's original deal was very team-friendly, in spite of the total $$$ figure, and he wanted the deal structured so that he could be as flexible as possible as the years went by. And he has restructured his contract twice now, taking less $$$ each time, to help the team. In fact, I believe that right now, Pat is just the 16th highest paid QB in the league.

[Backside]

Baker did a contract restructure guaranteeing his $30million salary next year, previously there was no guaranteed money due after this coming season. Still a free agent after next year, this doesn’t seem to be anything more than vote of confidence and doing him a solid. Would expect a new deal in the next offseason if both parties want to get it done.

[__Chef__]

...And he bought a house in TB, and the adjacent lot to his...

Baker, is that you?

[Sooner06]

...And he bought a house in TB, and the adjacent lot to his...

Baker, is that you?

Lol, nope. They were talking about Baker's house-buying spree on one of your Bucs podcasts the other day.

[Bootz]

I love how we try to pretend THIS organization is the only one in the league with players who are somehow more noble and "true team guys" that aren't driven by money like every other team is as if that's something to brag about.



Edit: @acmillis Theres this recent, new found agenda people here have to stroke Jason Licht's ego, that he's this GM that only selects great, wholesome team guys who may or may not be great at football, but they aren't ass holes and they take less money because winning matters more. The only guys that the "take less" portion has been true of is Evans.

EDIT: And Mahomes, of course. Pat's original deal was very team-friendly, in spite of the total $$$ figure, and he wanted the deal structured so that he could be as flexible as possible as the years went by. And he has restructured his contract twice now, taking less $$$ each time, to help the team. In fact, I believe that right now, Pat is just the 16th highest paid QB in the league.

A team friendly $500mil contract? Sure...

That deal shells out so much cash to Mahomes annually. They recently restructured deal in 2023 to pay him the highest amount ever in a 4 year span. Something like $218mil. And not just the cap hits. But the actual cash.

What you're talking about is his cap hits. The Chiefs keep his cap hits low with low base salaries and prorated bonuses. Like 2023. His cap hit was only $37mil. But the Chiefs actually paid him a shade under $60mil.

This year, Mahomes cap hit is $28mil but they pay him $50mil in cash.

[acmillis]

People keep posting the, "he's not all about the money and he'll take a discount from us because..." Is there any evidence that any of that is true, or is it the Pewter glasses that are being worn?

I assume you mean evidence other than his word or his behavior. And tbh, other than the fact that he took the deal TB offered him without quibbling about it, no. at least as far as i can actually remember. The only thing remotely close would be during the '21 offseason, when he was asked a few times in pressers about his upcoming extension negotiations, where he basically just said that he was going to let his agent and the organization work that out. he said that he wanted to play for the Browns and that he wanted to bring the CLE fans a SB, and that those were his only goals going into the season.


Now, you could say that was just a bunch of QB-speak, except Baker doesn't really do "QB-speak," does he? Also, his agent never contradicted him. Actually, I don't remember hearing anything at all from his agent. Same when he took TB's 3-yr offer; his agent didn't seem to really say much out loud about the negotiations as they happened.


And he bought a house in TB, and the adjacent lot to his, so it doesn't seem like he's going anywhere soon. Given that, I just doubt he's going to try to bend TB over the table when the time comes.

I understand the page you're on, but I don't like the book. Agree to disagree. If we offer Baker (assuming he plays well in 2025) 45m/year, he'll counter with something as insulting as 70/year, we'll meet at 55-58 with 200M guaranteed. If we do that, you'll see me Chicken Littleing in TD, but, if he performs well, again, in 2025, I'll probably be on an island with that thinking.

[Sooner06]

EDIT: And Mahomes, of course. Pat's original deal was very team-friendly, in spite of the total $$$ figure, and he wanted the deal structured so that he could be as flexible as possible as the years went by. And he has restructured his contract twice now, taking less $$$ each time, to help the team. In fact, I believe that right now, Pat is just the 16th highest paid QB in the league.

A team friendly $500mil contract? Sure...

That deal shells out so much cash to Mahomes annually. They recently restructured deal in 2023 to pay him the highest amount ever in a 4 year span. Something like $218mil. And not just the cap hits. But the actual cash.

What you're talking about is his cap hits. The Chiefs keep his cap hits low with low base salaries and prorated bonuses. Like 2023. His cap hit was only $37mil. But the Chiefs actually paid him a shade under $60mil.

This year, Mahomes cap hit is $28mil but they pay him $50mil in cash.

Okay, yeah, I'm thinking about the cap hits. anyway, the contract was structured so that mahomes' contract would be very flexible. They made a point of explaining it (for over two hours; not my favorite listen) right after the deal was signed on Locked on Chiefs. And it's worked out pretty exactly how they described it would go, right down to the timing of the restructures.


And Brady took more than a few discounts over his career, no? Took less to sign with TB, right? So he could try to win another SB? But took less over his entire career in NE to try and keep himself surrounded with enough talent. Eventually that didn't work anymore, hence his desire to pack up and join TB, but it worked for a long time.

[Grahamburn]

[Snake]

Financial security? Lol.

[Sooner06]

I assume you mean evidence other than his word or his behavior. And tbh, other than the fact that he took the deal TB offered him without quibbling about it, no. at least as far as i can actually remember. The only thing remotely close would be during the '21 offseason, when he was asked a few times in pressers about his upcoming extension negotiations, where he basically just said that he was going to let his agent and the organization work that out. he said that he wanted to play for the Browns and that he wanted to bring the CLE fans a SB, and that those were his only goals going into the season.


Now, you could say that was just a bunch of QB-speak, except Baker doesn't really do "QB-speak," does he? Also, his agent never contradicted him. Actually, I don't remember hearing anything at all from his agent. Same when he took TB's 3-yr offer; his agent didn't seem to really say much out loud about the negotiations as they happened.


And he bought a house in TB, and the adjacent lot to his, so it doesn't seem like he's going anywhere soon. Given that, I just doubt he's going to try to bend TB over the table when the time comes.

I understand the page you're on, but I don't like the book. Agree to disagree. If we offer Baker (assuming he plays well in 2025) 45m/year, he'll counter with something as insulting as 70/year, we'll meet at 55-58 with 200M guaranteed. If we do that, you'll see me Chicken Littleing in TD, but, if he performs well, again, in 2025, I'll probably be on an island with that thinking.

Baker will never ask for $70M/yr, but I assume you're being a tad hyperbolic with that figure, so whatever.

And QB contracts aren't really my wheelhouse; i think nearly all of them are currently making way too much for what they actually produce on the field, so what the exact number will be, or what the opening offers will look like, idk. I'm kind of going with my gut. Also, I'm not that familiar with Licht, or TB's ownership, yet, so I can't judge exactly how they'll try to play it.

What I do know at this early stage, is that Glazer is a better owner than Haslam, and that Baker and Licht seem to have a better relationship than Baker did with Dorsey or Berry. And at this point in Bakr's career, i think that will matter. maybe almost as much as Baker's relationship with Bowles and his teammates.

But I just doubt that Baker will balk at being paid less than Purdy. It might amuse and/or motivate him. We'll just have to see.

[Bootz]

That doesn't sound like they plan to extend him next offseason. And what additional financial security is he receiving IF the plan all along is to give him a real extension and not release him after 2025? AND why not do this earlier in the offseason when you added void years to his deal?

Sounds a lot to me like the Bucs and Baker have been in negotiations and aren't even in the same time zone. No other logical reason they'd revisit his contract twice in a 3 month span, make changes twice and neither come with an extension or a raise.

[Backside]

Here’s this dudes take on it

Mayfield revealed to CBS Sports' Pete Prisco that the Bucs had recently reworked his contract to give him $30 million guaranteed

"Right now, I'm under contract through 2026 so really it was about getting guaranteed money for '26, and they did that," Baker said. He also noted that he "signed the contract and knew what it was" in response to Prisco pointing out that he's among the least-paid quarterbacks in the league.

That's a very subtle and low-key way to reveal such a potentially massive alteration to his contract. It's also extremely on-brand for how the Bucs have done business as Jason Licht has masterfully crafted a Super Bowl-contending roster

Not only did we learn about is in the most nonchalant way possible, but we're all late to the party. This change to Baker's deal reportedly happened back in April around the draft, which means everyone kept a lid on it for least two months.

It's nothing earth-shattering in terms of immediate impact. The reworking of Baker's deal doesn't free up any new money now to go out and make deals, which is likely why it was left unsaid for as long as it was. It does, however, send a pretty clear message of endorsement from the Bucs as well as potentially more.

There's a lot of convoluted stuff to what the Bucs just did, but Greg Auman broke it down pretty perfectly:

The fine print on Bucs amending Baker Mayfield's contract back in April: He was due to make $40 million, not guaranteed. They shifted $30M to roster bonus, guaranteed against injury. Of that, $13M is guaranteed now, other $17M guarantees early 2026. Basically $30M guaranteed.

Essentially, the Bucs did two things: they took care of Baker and gave him a fully guaranteed salary for 2026 and planted a seed for potentially getting a deal done before next season.

Tampa Bay took things to the wire with Baker last offseason when it seemed like he was about to hit free agency. In the 11th hour they were able to secure a $100 million deal, but getting something done sooner this time around feels like a much better approach.

https://br.app.link/fbrKLLSInVb

[Bootz]

Here’s this dudes take on it

Mayfield revealed to CBS Sports' Pete Prisco that the Bucs had recently reworked his contract to give him $30 million guaranteed

"Right now, I'm under contract through 2026 so really it was about getting guaranteed money for '26, and they did that," Baker said. He also noted that he "signed the contract and knew what it was" in response to Prisco pointing out that he's among the least-paid quarterbacks in the league.

That's a very subtle and low-key way to reveal such a potentially massive alteration to his contract. It's also extremely on-brand for how the Bucs have done business as Jason Licht has masterfully crafted a Super Bowl-contending roster

Not only did we learn about is in the most nonchalant way possible, but we're all late to the party. This change to Baker's deal reportedly happened back in April around the draft, which means everyone kept a lid on it for least two months.

It's nothing earth-shattering in terms of immediate impact. The reworking of Baker's deal doesn't free up any new money now to go out and make deals, which is likely why it was left unsaid for as long as it was. It does, however, send a pretty clear message of endorsement from the Bucs as well as potentially more.

There's a lot of convoluted stuff to what the Bucs just did, but Greg Auman broke it down pretty perfectly:



Essentially, the Bucs did two things: they took care of Baker and gave him a fully guaranteed salary for 2026 and planted a seed for potentially getting a deal done before next season.

Tampa Bay took things to the wire with Baker last offseason when it seemed like he was about to hit free agency. In the 11th hour they were able to secure a $100 million deal, but getting something done sooner this time around feels like a much better approach.

https://br.app.link/fbrKLLSInVb

So if I'm reading this correctly, and we're gonna go with the @Grahamburn contract logic, it's really only $13mil guaranteed since he could stink it up and be released before 2026, right?

[Phantom]

Classy move by the Bucs and it seems like they’ll have a more in-depth discussion about the extension after this season.

[Doctor]

Super classy.

People underestimate how far class and culture can go with the right locker room. Rightfully so, I might add, since it is such a rare thing for an organization to cultivate.

[Grahamburn]

It’s a good faith gesture.

Instead of saying, “hey do it again and then we’ll pay you” the way the Bengals have with Hendrickson they put their money where their mouth is and are acknowledging Baker has severely outperformed his contracts here.

[Bootz]

It's only $13mil guaranteed

[Doctor]

I'm curious, do you just pee directly into your own mouth or do you put it in cheerios first?

[Bootz]

I'm curious, do you just pee directly into your own mouth or do you put it in cheerios first?

So is Greg wrong or you?

[Grahamburn]

I don't understand why you ignore things to make your arbitrary point? There are words there that have meaning.

There are worst case scenarios. They may not be likely, but they're possible. The word guaranteed has meaning. The dates where new guarantees are triggered are meaningful. That's why they exist.

[Bootz]

I don't understand why you ignore things to make your arbitrary point? There are words there that have meaning.

There are worst case scenarios. They may not be likely, but they're possible. The word guaranteed has meaning. The dates where new guarantees are triggered are meaningful. That's why they exist.

This is a point you made. That guarantees aren't guaranteed until they are triggered. You made the point that Purdy's deal was only 2 yrs/$100mil and he could ge ditched without paying all of the guarantees. Same applies for Baker here, that this isn't truly $30mil guaranteed, it's $13mil. Or are we ignoring that fact because it's Baker?

[Grahamburn]

I don't understand why you ignore things to make your arbitrary point? There are words there that have meaning.

There are worst case scenarios. They may not be likely, but they're possible. The word guaranteed has meaning. The dates where new guarantees are triggered are meaningful. That's why they exist.

This is a point you made. That guarantees aren't guaranteed until they are triggered. You made the point that Purdy's deal was only 2 yrs/$100mil and he could ge ditched without paying all of the guarantees. Same applies for Baker here, that this isn't truly $30mil guaranteed, it's $13mil. Or are we ignoring that fact because it's Baker?

I'm not ignoring anything. "Basically" has meaning in that tweet. Yeah, it's likely he gets it, but there's a worst case scenario where he doesn't. Just like Purdy. That's my point.

[Bootz]

This is a point you made. That guarantees aren't guaranteed until they are triggered. You made the point that Purdy's deal was only 2 yrs/$100mil and he could ge ditched without paying all of the guarantees. Same applies for Baker here, that this isn't truly $30mil guaranteed, it's $13mil. Or are we ignoring that fact because it's Baker?

I'm not ignoring anything. "Basically" has meaning in that tweet. Yeah, it's likely he gets it, but there's a worst case scenario where he doesn't. Just like Purdy. That's my point.

Perfect! Then there should be no arguing against saying Baker for $13mil guaranteed for next season.

[__Chef__]

Perfect! Then there should be no arguing against saying Baker for $13mil guaranteed for next season.

Baker's next contract...

Which tier is more likely?

A 25-35/yr
B 35-45/yr
C 45-55/yr
D 55-65/yr

[Bootz]

Perfect! Then there should be no arguing against saying Baker for $13mil guaranteed for next season.

Baker's next contract...

Which tier is more likely?

A 25-35/yr
B 35-45/yr
C 45-55/yr
D 55-65/yr

Given his age relative to his QB peers and where people are slotting him, it should easily be D. Guys making $55mil include Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, Josh Allen.

That said, I just learned Baker isn't all about the money like every other QB is. So maybe another deal in the A. range is likely.

[acmillis]

Perfect! Then there should be no arguing against saying Baker for $13mil guaranteed for next season.

Baker's next contract...

Which tier is more likely?

A 25-35/yr
B 35-45/yr
C 45-55/yr
D 55-65/yr

I'm a known Baker non-believer. If he has another season like 23/24, anybody saying anything other than D is high on drugs.

[Grahamburn]

Baker's next contract...

Which tier is more likely?

A 25-35/yr
B 35-45/yr
C 45-55/yr
D 55-65/yr

I'm a known Baker non-believer. If he has another season like 23/24, anybody saying anything other than D is high on drugs.

I think a deep(ish) playoff run should be a caveat to D, but that hasn’t been a prerequisite for other QBs in his so called “tier.”

If he stays on a similar statistical trajectory though, even if it’s just the regular season, hard to see any thing less than C.

[Bootz]

Deep-ish playoff runs have zero bearing on what QBs are getting. The top 10 QBs by AAV have a combined 0 SB wins. Only 3 (Burrow, Purdy, Goff) have been to a SB. Jackson, Prescott, Tua, Herbert, Love, have losing playoff records. Burrow & Lawrence haven't even been to the playoffs in the past 2 seasons.

Anything similar to what Baker put up in 2024 when people here were calling him a top 5 QB, he easily matches or tops tier D.

[Sooner06]

C

[Grahamburn]

Deep-ish playoff runs have zero bearing on what QBs are getting. The top 10 QBs by AAV have a combined 0 SB wins. Only 3 (Burrow, Purdy, Goff) have been to a SB. Jackson, Prescott, Tua, Herbert, Love, have losing playoff records. Burrow & Lawrence haven't even been to the playoffs in the past 2 seasons.

Anything similar to what Baker put up in 2024 when people here were calling him a top 5 QB, he easily matches or tops tier D.

This is exactly what I said with different words.

[Bootz]

Deep-ish playoff runs have zero bearing on what QBs are getting. The top 10 QBs by AAV have a combined 0 SB wins. Only 3 (Burrow, Purdy, Goff) have been to a SB. Jackson, Prescott, Tua, Herbert, Love, have losing playoff records. Burrow & Lawrence haven't even been to the playoffs in the past 2 seasons.

Anything similar to what Baker put up in 2024 when people here were calling him a top 5 QB, he easily matches or tops tier D.

This is exactly what I said with different words.

Not really. You mentioned tier C as if it's a legit option. Baker shouldn't be getting less than guys like Tua, Herbert, Lawrence, Love, Purdy.

[Grahamburn]

This is exactly what I said with different words.

Not really. You mentioned tier C as if it's a legit option. Baker shouldn't be getting less than guys like Tua, Herbert, Lawrence, Love, Purdy.

I mentioned it as an opinion. As in I'd prefer tier C if we're still losing in the Wild Card round or don't make the playoffs, because clearly the team needs more pieces in that case.

At the risk of also sounding way too much like @CannonFire I don't think those guys are worth a contract that large and don't think Baker should be either unless he can show that he can win (and carry) our team in the playoffs.

I do understand that is also the going rate for "mid-tier" QB play on their 2nd/3rd contract and realize he'll likely get something close to D assuming he plays well in the regular season again.

[Sooner06]

This is exactly what I said with different words.

Not really. You mentioned tier C as if it's a legit option. Baker shouldn't be getting less than guys like Tua, Herbert, Lawrence, Love, Purdy.

Now I'm confused. haven't you been saying for two seasons now that all those guys are significantly better than Baker? If that's the case, then why wouldn't Baker get paid less than all of them?