NFL insider sends warning to Bucs about Mayfield contract talks

A recent update claimed that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield “are not close yet” to coming to terms on a contract extension this summer. 

Mayfield remains in a contract year, and one report hinted that the Buccaneers may not give him the type of deal he wants and instead have an “angry Baker” face opposing defenses through the upcoming season. During Tuesday’s edition of the “Pro Football Talk Live” program, NFL insider Mike Florio sent a warning to the Buccaneers about contract talks with Mayfield’s camp.

Would Baker Mayfield eventually take less money to stick it to Buccaneers?

“They may offer him more than anyone else will offer, and come March of 2027, Baker Mayfield may take less from another team just to stick it to the Buccaneers for not doing the right thing, for not offering him more, for not showing greater appreciation,” Florio said, per Jack Aaron of Pro Football Network. “‘I’ll take less to go to a team that really wants me and is willing to overextend what it even thought it would do, even if that’s less than what I’d get from the Buccaneers.'” 

For what it’s worth, insider Mike Garafolo of NFL Network said on Monday that “there is confidence” within the Buccaneers that “a Mayfield deal will get worked out.” While Mayfield doesn’t want contract talks to go beyond the start of training camp on July 28, it is assumed that is more of a soft deadline rather than a cutoff point for negotiations. 

Would Buccaneers be taking a risk by making Baker Mayfield unhappy?

It is also worth noting that the Buccaneers could always retain Mayfield’s rights for 2027 via the franchise tag. However, some people around the NFL reportedly believe the franchise doesn’t want to go down such a road.

“That’s the risk they’re taking,” Florio added about the Buccaneers’ handling of Mayfield’s situation. “…If there is a team that puts the hard sell, even if the (annual percentage yield) is lower than what the Buccaneers are offering, I don’t rule out the possibility that he’ll take that lesser deal.” 

Of course, Florio is trying to predict what may happen roughly eight months down the road. As of the morning of July 8, there was no indication that Mayfield’s representatives had walked away from the negotiating table this summer.