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The likelihood of Baker Mayfield signing an extension before camp continues to drop.
Mayfield has already declared the beginning of Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp as his deadline to reach an agreement on a new contract. If no deal is reached by then, Mayfield intends to cut off negotiations until after the upcoming season so that he can focus on football and only football.
Whether or not Mayfield will stick to his decision not to negotiate after camp starts remains to be seen. It's hard to believe that, if the sides have made significant progress, that it wouldn't be in their best interests to get it over the finish line.
Unfortunately, the quarterback recently talked about his contract situation, saying that nothing had really changed.
For Bucs' general manager Jason Licht, when it comes to intense contract negotiations, this isn't his first rodeo. Licht recently appeared on the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast and gave a brief update on the talks, specifically whether he thinks Mayfield's play will be affected if no deal is done by the start of the season.
"I have no concerns about that. I've talked to him about that," Licht said. "He's in a very good place right now. He just wants to win, he's a pro's pro — we have all the respect in the world... he's gonna ball no matter what. We'll continue to have discussions and try to get this to a closure, but one thing I know personally that I can lay down is that he's going to play his ass off here."
It's good that Licht seems confident that Tampa's quarterback won't let the contract situation affect his play, but it doesn't sound like a deal is anywhere close. Even with the training camp deadline looming, Licht seems unfazed and isn't in a rush.
Is Licht playing with fire? Possibly having this become a distraction for the whole team this season is a big risk for the Bucs. However, it looks like that is where we are heading.
Bucs' legend Ronde Barber also believes that the organization and Mayfield won't reach an extension before the season starts. Barber thinks Mayfield should be given at least $50 million/year on his next contract and also worries the situation could become a huge distraction.
Mayfield and the Bucs don't appear to be anywhere close to a contract extension. Licht's comments gave no indication that a deal is imminent, instead focusing the conversation on how Mayfield will perform without a new deal.
With only about five weeks to go until the Bucs open training camp, the contract talks seem to be moving at a snail's pace. Unless there is a breakthrough sometime in the near future, expect no deal to be reached by Mayfield's deadline.
The question then becomes whether or not the negotiations will really be put on hold until the end of Tampa's season. If the two sides remain far apart, I believe the quarterback will choose to focus only on football. If they are close, then I think talks will continue until it is finished.
Mayfield's contract continues to be the main issue hanging over the Bucs. Until they lock up their franchise quarterback long-term, it will be something they are asked about every single day.
Hopefully, this contract drama will work itself out quickly. Mayfield's extension deadline will be here before too long. Will it continue to be an issue all throughout the season?
It's looking more and more like it will be.
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Continue reading...
Mayfield has already declared the beginning of Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp as his deadline to reach an agreement on a new contract. If no deal is reached by then, Mayfield intends to cut off negotiations until after the upcoming season so that he can focus on football and only football.
Whether or not Mayfield will stick to his decision not to negotiate after camp starts remains to be seen. It's hard to believe that, if the sides have made significant progress, that it wouldn't be in their best interests to get it over the finish line.
Unfortunately, the quarterback recently talked about his contract situation, saying that nothing had really changed.
For Bucs' general manager Jason Licht, when it comes to intense contract negotiations, this isn't his first rodeo. Licht recently appeared on the Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast and gave a brief update on the talks, specifically whether he thinks Mayfield's play will be affected if no deal is done by the start of the season.
"I have no concerns about that. I've talked to him about that," Licht said. "He's in a very good place right now. He just wants to win, he's a pro's pro — we have all the respect in the world... he's gonna ball no matter what. We'll continue to have discussions and try to get this to a closure, but one thing I know personally that I can lay down is that he's going to play his ass off here."
Doesn't Sound Like A Deal Is Close
It's good that Licht seems confident that Tampa's quarterback won't let the contract situation affect his play, but it doesn't sound like a deal is anywhere close. Even with the training camp deadline looming, Licht seems unfazed and isn't in a rush.
Is Licht playing with fire? Possibly having this become a distraction for the whole team this season is a big risk for the Bucs. However, it looks like that is where we are heading.
Bucs' legend Ronde Barber also believes that the organization and Mayfield won't reach an extension before the season starts. Barber thinks Mayfield should be given at least $50 million/year on his next contract and also worries the situation could become a huge distraction.
Final Thoughts
Mayfield and the Bucs don't appear to be anywhere close to a contract extension. Licht's comments gave no indication that a deal is imminent, instead focusing the conversation on how Mayfield will perform without a new deal.
With only about five weeks to go until the Bucs open training camp, the contract talks seem to be moving at a snail's pace. Unless there is a breakthrough sometime in the near future, expect no deal to be reached by Mayfield's deadline.
The question then becomes whether or not the negotiations will really be put on hold until the end of Tampa's season. If the two sides remain far apart, I believe the quarterback will choose to focus only on football. If they are close, then I think talks will continue until it is finished.
Mayfield's contract continues to be the main issue hanging over the Bucs. Until they lock up their franchise quarterback long-term, it will be something they are asked about every single day.
Hopefully, this contract drama will work itself out quickly. Mayfield's extension deadline will be here before too long. Will it continue to be an issue all throughout the season?
It's looking more and more like it will be.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
