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Mayfield Rips Bucs: “I Feel Disrespected & Undervalued”
Baker Mayfield Feels Disrespected by Buccaneers After Contract Deadline Passes
What Happened?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield held a press conference on Thursday morning to share his feelings about contract negotiations with the team. In simple terms: he asked for a new contract by a certain date, that date came and went, and no deal was reached.
Mayfield didn’t hold back. He said he feels disrespected and undervalued by the franchise he’s led for the past three seasons.
The Background: Mayfield’s Time in Tampa
Since joining the Buccaneers in 2023, Mayfield has been the undisputed starter. Here’s what he’s accomplished:
- Started every single game over three seasons
- Led the team to the playoffs twice (2023 and 2024 seasons)
- Beat the Eagles in the 2023 postseason
- Regular season record: 27-24 as the Bucs’ quarterback
- Called a "franchise quarterback" publicly by team ownership
Important Point: Mayfield says this isn’t a "poor me" situation. He acknowledges others have it worse. But he believes his resume speaks for itself — and that he deserves to be paid like the top-tier quarterback he believes he is.
The Contract Offer That Disappointed Him
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, here’s what the Buccaneers put on the table:
| Detail | What Was Offered |
|---|---|
| Contract Length | Two years |
| Average Annual Value | "Pretty far" from $50 million per year |
| Mayfield’s Reaction | Disappointed — felt it didn’t reflect his value |
Mayfield had set a start-of-training-camp deadline to avoid the contract becoming a distraction during the season. That deadline has now passed.
What Mayfield Said — In His Own Words (Simplified)
"I wanted a deal done. I set the deadline. I meant it. After that, it’s all about football."
"I know what I’ve brought to this franchise — leadership, play, some of the best years of my career. And I think it’s only going to get better."
"It’s disappointing to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it."
"I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback — from ownership on down. So to not have a deal done is very disappointing."
"If you’ve waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that’s too bad — because it’s only going to get worse from here. I’m going to have a really good year."
What Happens Next? The Path Forward
Mayfield laid out a few possibilities for the future:
1. An Extension Could Still Happen
- His agent will negotiate, but only if the offer "recognizes his value"
- Mayfield won’t be bothered with updates unless it’s a real, fair offer
2. Franchise Tag Unlikely Next Year
- Mayfield doesn’t think the Bucs will use the franchise tag on him
- Reason: "There’d be a lot of dead money" (salary cap penalties)
3. The Offer Might Go Up — If He Plays Well
- Mayfield hopes a great season leads to a better offer
- But he knows: "Expecting and hoping are two different things"
- All he can control: winning games this season
Mayfield’s Mindset: Betting on Himself
Despite the contract frustration, Mayfield says money isn’t his motivation.
"Money should never be the motivation in football. It’s: how do I help this team win?"
He views this situation as fuel — a "chip on his shoulder" that puts him in a familiar, comfortable spot: betting on himself.
- He’s done it before in his career
- He’s at peace with where things stand
- He has teammates and coaches who believe in him
- Shared goal: "Playing in February" (the Super Bowl)
Why It’s "Easy" to Move On Right Now
Mayfield says turning the page is simple for two reasons:
- The offer wasn’t appealing — so saying "no" was an easy decision
- It’s football season — the excitement of a new system, new coaches, and a talented roster takes over
"On paper, we’ve got a lot of potential. But it’s just potential. We know we have to put it all together."
Summary
- Baker Mayfield feels disrespected after the Buccaneers didn’t meet his contract deadline
- The team offered a two-year deal well below $50M/year — Mayfield found it disappointing
- Since 2023, he’s started every game, gone 27-24, and made two playoff runs
- He believes he’s a franchise QB and deserves to be paid like one
- No more contract talk — Mayfield says it’s "all ball" from here
- An extension is still possible if the Bucs come back with a fair offer
- Mayfield is motivated by winning, not money, and plans to bet on himself this season
FAQ
Why did Mayfield set a deadline for a contract?
He wanted to avoid the contract situation becoming a distraction during training camp and the season. He made it clear: once the deadline passed, his full focus would be on football.
What does "franchise quarterback" mean?
It means the team views the quarterback as their long-term starter and the face of the franchise — someone you build the team around. Mayfield says ownership has called him this publicly.
What is the "franchise tag" Mayfield mentioned?
It’s a tool teams use to keep a player for one more year at a set high salary. Mayfield doesn’t think the Bucs will use it on him next year because it would cost them too much in "dead money" (salary cap space tied up in players no longer on the team).
Is Mayfield holding out or refusing to play?
No. He’s at camp, practicing, and leading the team. He said it’s "all ball" now — meaning 100% focus on the season.
Could Mayfield leave the Buccaneers after this season?
Yes, it’s possible. If no extension is reached, he could become a free agent. But Mayfield says he’s at peace and focused only on winning this year — "good things happen when the team wins."
