The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are understandably eager to bring quarterback Baker Mayfield back into the fold after the season he just had for them. But the one thing holding that up is the same thing that holds up every move: Money.
According to Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report, the Bucs and Mayfield are “still not close” to agreeing to a new contract. Per the report, there has been “some progress” on contract talks, but the sides were apart by an estimated $20 million at the outset and are barely closer now.
“Here’s an update on the negotiations between the Bucs and quarterback Baker Mayfield: Both sides are still not close to agreeing to terms on a contract extension,” Reynolds wrote.
“Pewter Report has spoken with multiple sources recently and while there has been some progress since talks began in earnest at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, the Bucs and Mayfield’s camp were very far apart to begin with.
“How far? Nearly $20 million apart.”
That’s a massive difference in valuation and the Buccaneers really don’t have much they can do to stop Mayfield from leaving in free agency. They’ve already used the franchise tag on Antoine Winfield Jr. and don’t have any other levers to keep him with the team.
So unless Bucs general manager Jason Licht basically folds at the negotiating table, it seems like Mayfield is going to hit the open market and get the best offer.
Has Baker Mayfield played his final down for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?