The feedback made by Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield just lately have stirred the pot in terms of the dialogue about his subsequent contract. Set to turn out to be a free agent after the 2026 season, lots can occur between every now and then as either side work towards a brand new deal.
Normal supervisor Jason Licht shall be a key determine in seeing that come to fruition, and he appeared on The JP Peterson Present on Thursday to handle the whole state of affairs.
Jason Licht: “No One Wants To See Baker Mayfield Go Anywhere”
In the case of the quarterback place, the dialog surrounding greenback indicators clearly attracts numerous consideration. Being a very powerful think about wins and losses, there isn’t a understating the significance of getting the suitable man below heart main the crew.
Including to that, what a basic supervisor has to say about his quarterback solely drives that time house. To kick off his present, JP Peterson jumped proper in and requested Jason Licht about his total ideas in regards to the contract negotiation with Mayfield to date.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: IMAGN Photos
“First of all, we love Baker,” Licht mentioned. “Nobody wants to see Baker go anywhere else. We’ve had some discussions and we’ll continue to have internal discussions and try to bring this to closure, one way or another. No one wants to see Baker go anywhere. No one is worried about how Baker’s mindset is going to be. I’ve had conversations with him about that and he’s all about wanting to win. He’s in a good place.”
Whereas basic managers hardly ever reveal a lot about ongoing contract discussions, it’s notable that Licht has constantly gone out of his technique to emphasize Mayfield’s worth to the group, relationship again to the NFL Scouting Mix. That public stance suggests the 2 sides stay aligned on the larger image even when they haven’t agreed on the monetary particulars but. To that finish, it has been an ongoing dialogue between Mayfield’s camp and the entrance workplace over the previous a number of months.
“Our thoughts on Baker haven’t changed,” Licht mentioned in late February. “Baker’s been with us three years. We’ve seen the competitor he is, he’s got a lot of arm talent, he’s a leader, all these things. Our plans with Baker haven’t changed. At some point – I don’t have a timetable – I’m sure we’ll be having those discussions.”
Jason Licht Reacts To Baker Mayfield’s Contract Feedback
As these contract discussions proceed, it’s clear how extremely the crew values Baker Mayfield and views him as its long-term reply at quarterback. Whereas neither facet desires it to return right down to the wire, utilizing the franchise tag on Mayfield stays an choice.
Bucs assistant GM Mike Greenberg and GM Jason Licht – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“All teams can use the franchise tag on a player,” Jason Licht mentioned. “Unless they have it written in their contract. That’s furthest from our mind right now.”
Whereas Licht downplayed that chance, the franchise tag offers Tampa Bay further leverage and safety ought to negotiations drag into subsequent offseason. What stays on Licht and the crew’s thoughts proper now could be getting a deal finished to lock up the franchise quarterback, with the worth level anticipated to return in round $50 million per season. At all times one to overtly specific his ideas, probably the most eyebrow elevating remark Mayfield made was these negotiations had been “not anywhere close” to what he imagined.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: IMAGN Photos
Licht went on to react to these remarks.
“I respect Baker,” Licht mentioned. “He’s free to say whatever he wants to say. That’s the way he’s wired, and I have nothing but love for Baker. I’ll keep all that stuff internal… any discussions that we have. Our feelings about Baker have not changed.”
Whereas there’s nonetheless work to be finished earlier than a deal will get throughout the end line, Jason Licht’s feedback strengthened what the group has constantly maintained all through the offseason: Baker Mayfield stays the quarterback the Bucs need main their franchise for years to return.
To observe Licht’s full interview with JP Peterson, click on the video under.
