Coaching camp for the 2026 season is formally underway however for the Buccaneers, a whole lot of the main target is sadly off the sector proper now and the eye has turned to the contracts of quarterback Baker Mayfield in addition to defensive sort out Vita Vea. Vea has already requested a commerce after not with the ability to get an extension accomplished with the staff and though it’s unlikely he’s dealt, that is nonetheless not one thing you need turning into a distraction. On the Mayfield entrance he has made it very clear that he is not going to be negotiating with Tampa Bay any additional as soon as coaching camp began a Mayfield was very blunt when speaking to the media Thursday afternoon.
Mayfield confirmed he addressed the staff, saying this received’t be a distraction. Plans to have an enormous 12 months, believes he’s in finest form.
‘If you’ve waited this lengthy to pay your franchise quarterback, it’s solely going to worsen…I’m going to have an enormous 12 months.’ https://t.co/DiAmpgw5g2
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2026
Mayfield isn’t joyful, the staff isn’t joyful however what are the professionals and cons of signing Mayfield to an extension proper now? Lets dive proper into it.
Professional: Signal him early to maintain him joyful
This ship most likely has already sailed huh? Now if I needed to guess, Mayfield was real when he set a deadline. That being stated although, if the Bucs name his agent with a suggestion that’s a lot improved in Mayfield’s eyes are they actually not even going to listen to them out? The agent has to take that decision and if they provide the deal, you’re on the lookout for, I’m wondering if Mayfield’s deadline the entire sudden doesn’t seem so set.
The staff most likely has already misplaced the power to maintain Mayfield fully joyful until they provide him an unbelievable deal however that’s the danger they ran once they didn’t prolong him. Had they arrive to an settlement by this level, Mayfield would have been fairly happy and it might have averted a whole lot of awkward interviews and restrict the distractions. Mayfield says he’s now centered on soccer however the contract state of affairs will likely be looming behind everybody’s head. Extending him by this level would have made issues much more easy.
Professional: Bucs may get a discount
Now this clearly is reliant on Mayfield acting at a excessive degree for a whole season however getting an extension accomplished may find yourself wanting good for the staff if he is ready to play like a high ten quarterback and lead the staff again to the playoffs. The wage cap within the NFL is just going to maintain rising and with that ultimately a contract that could be rather a lot proper now will look rather a lot higher in 2-3 years. Brief time period ache for long run may occur however once more, that depends solely on Mayfield performing nicely and at occasions outperforming his potential new deal.
Con: Bucs is also caught with a nasty contract
Sure, if Mayfield performs nicely and the Bucs win a whole lot of soccer video games then that contract seems actually good. If he doesn’t although and it seems rather a lot just like the second half of 2025 for Baker, the Bucs would have one of many worst contracts within the NFL on their arms with no real looking technique to eliminate it. Groups can typically survive giving out a nasty deal or two, nevertheless it’s not typically a staff can survive it when it’s on the quarterback place. Have a look at the Cardinals with Kyler Murray and Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa, each have been signed to huge extensions with their groups, they usually simply by no means bought to that subsequent degree. Each Murray and Tua are actually on totally different groups enjoying for little or no cash. You could possibly make the argument that Mayfield is healthier than each of these guys, nevertheless it nonetheless doesn’t change the truth that handing out an enormous contract to a QB that doesn’t carry out can sink a staff.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JULY 29: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes the sector throughout coaching camp at AdventHealth Coaching Middle on July 29, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photograph by Mike Carlson/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
Bucs could be betting on Mayfield and if they’re incorrect, it turns into a gap that will take a very long time to dig themselves out of.
Con: Uncertainty in different areas for Tampa Bay
Merely put, this staff may look rather a lot totally different in just some months. After lacking the playoffs in embarrassing vogue, it’s protected to imagine Head Coach Todd Bowles enters 2026 on the new seat and he probably received’t survive a second straight 12 months with no playoff look. If Bowles is out, how unhealthy does the season must be to query Basic Supervisor Jason Licht’s job safety? I believe it might take rather a lot for Licht to be in bother but when Tampa Bay solely wins a handful of video games and discover themselves on the backside of the NFC South, all bets might be off.
So, with all of the uncertainty surrounding the pinnacle coach and probably common supervisor, what in the event that they decide to Mayfield proper now? Tampa Bay could be caught with Baker who, if the Bucs performed unhealthy sufficient to get Bowles and Licht fired probably didn’t play nicely himself. Any new teaching or common supervisor candidate would now be caught with Mayfield as their sign caller for 2027 and sure 2028 as nicely. That could be a powerful promote if you find yourself attempting to pitch to different exterior candidates.
Tampa Bay is aware of they might look totally different in 2027 and I’m undecided in the event that they wish to strap themselves to Baker Mayfield right now.
