In late July, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield mentioned that he felt “disrespected” and “undervalued” following negotiations he had with the membership a couple of potential contract extension forward of coaching camp.
Whereas talking with reporters on Thursday, Buccaneers normal supervisor Jason Licht insisted that he was “not going to get into specifics concerning the contract and all that stuff” relating to talks with Mayfield. In response to the JoeBucsFan web site, Licht sang considerably of a special tune throughout a subsequent look on Tampa Bay sports activities radio station WDAE.
Buccaneers “made sturdy provide” to Baker Mayfield this summer time?
“We don’t count on each participant or each agent to be on the identical aircraft and agree with provides and issues like that,” Licht defined. “However we felt on our finish it was a powerful provide that represented a franchise quarterback. We do really feel that [Mayfield] is a franchise quarterback.”
In response to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (h/t Jenna Laine), the Buccaneers supplied Mayfield “a two-year deal price barely above $100M in complete.” Mayfield reportedly “felt the construction of the contract was not appropriate, primarily the assured cash,” and he additionally “was adamant about wanting an extended dedication than two years.”
Throughout Thursday’s information convention, Licht said that the Buccaneers “may plan” to retain Mayfield’s rights for 2027 through the franchise tag.
“It is an possibility,” Licht added about tagging Mayfield. “It isn’t essentially one thing you need to plan on doing, however you need to on this enterprise – you need to plan on issues.”
Buccaneers assured they’ll “work out” a cope with Baker Mayfield?
“These items over time are likely to work out,” Licht added concerning the Mayfield scenario throughout the WDAE look. “We’ll get to it when that point comes. However within the meantime, our emotions for him haven’t modified. I imply, he’s meant quite a bit to us. He’s entitled to his emotions. I respect that. However I can actually say we’ve at all times tried to cope with gamers professionally and actually and in good religion, and we’ll proceed to do this on this case.”
Licht additionally mentioned that “there’s mutual respect between the crew and Baker.” That is all nicely and good, nevertheless it additionally appears like Licht is probably not in a rush to match Mayfield’s asking worth for an extension earlier than Tampa Bay opens the preseason with a matchup on the New York Jets on Aug. 14.
