The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a disappointing season that saw them narrowly miss out on the playoffs due to tiebreakers. The Buccaneers are hoping that quarterback Baker Mayfield will be able to lead them to the promised land this season, but it appears he and the franchise are at a standstill when it comes to his long-term future in Tampa.
“Contract stuff — it’s happening, it’s starting, the talks and what not,” Mayfield told reporters on Friday. “But [we’re] not anywhere close to what we were thinking. So, I’d to be here long-term, but right now that’s not the case. I’m under contract for 2026 and the guys in that locker room and that staff know that I’m still going to do everything I can to win a Super Bowl. To me, that’s the priority. Everything else will take care of itself.
“Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done, but they know my deadline: As soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff. It’s all ball. It’s not up to me when that gets done by. So hopefully before that. If not — still going to have a good year.”
In light of Mayfield’s revelation, one analyst believes that he is well-poised to join a new team next offseason following Aaron Rodgers’ retirement.
“I’ve got a team for him and it’s not the Browns…I think Baker (Mayfield) going to the Steelers (next year) would be delicious,” Daryl Ruiter said.
Considering the Steelers still don’t appear to have a concrete plan for the position post-Rodgers, Mayfield may just be the perfect solution.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.