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There may not be another player in the NFL who has been getting critiqued as much as Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield, who is involved in what has become a contentious contract dispute with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has had his worth placed under a microscope over the last several weeks as everyone in the NFL world has seemingly given their opinion on how much he should be paid.
As he enters his fourth season in Tampa, Mayfield is playing out the final year of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed before the 2024 season. His current deal makes him significantly underpaid compared to the other franchise quarterbacks in the league.
A dozen QBs make over $50 million/year, and that is the minimum number Mayfield has been seeking. His current salary places him only 16th among NFL QBs, behind several signal callers he believes he is better than or at least comparable to.
The Bucs seemingly offered Mayfield the $50 million/year figure, but only for two years, a far cry from the length of the other top QBs' contracts. The lack of any "long-term lock-in," as Mayfield referred to it, left him feeling "disrespected" and "undervalued" by the team.
Mayfield lambasted the Bucs after training camp began without a new contract being finalized. The team was not happy with how its QB very publicly aired his grievances, leading many to wonder whether the two sides will indeed part ways after this season.
Many have sided with Mayfield in the dispute, or at least believe he should get paid, even if they don't think he handled the situation properly.
However, some don't believe Mayfield has earned a significant raise. According to Fox Sports, one longtime NFL scout ripped Mayfield and his feelings.
The scout (who, of course, remained anonymous) is described by writer Eric D. Williams as "a longtime NFL scout intimately involved in evaluating Mayfield as a prospect coming out of Oklahoma," believes Mayfield hasn't proven himself, and strongly rejected his feelings about the negotiations to Williams.
"'Mayfield is being disrespected by the Bucs? What a crock,' the longtime NFL scout told me. 'He’s lucky they saved his career. He’s got a big ego and needs to get real. In the NFL, they only give you what you prove.'"
Does Mayfield have a big ego? Sure. At least on the field. I don't think you can succeed as an NFL quarterback if you don't.
However, this particular criticism of Mayfield appears personal to me and isn't rooted in facts.
Whatever personal feelings this scout has for Mayfield aside, what he said is just flat out wrong.
"In the NFL, they only give you what you prove."
Really?
I would love for this scout to tell me what exactly Dak Prescott ($60 million/year) has proven. Or Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence ($55 mil). What about Justin Herbert ($52.5 mil)?
At least guys like Joe Burrow ($55 mil), Jared Goff ($53 mil), and Brock Purdy ($53 mil) have reached Super Bowls, though none have won it.
We're not even gonna count Tua's old contract with the Miami Dolphins, which was also for about $53 million/year.
Mayfield has won a playoff game more recently than Burrow and has only won one fewer playoff game than Lamar Jackson has. Mayfield has won the same number of playoff games as Dak (2). Love and Lawrence have only won one, while Herbert has won exactly zero.
Not to mention, one of Mayfield's playoff wins was as QB of the Cleveland Browns, which should be graded on a massive curve.
Please, anonymous scout, tell me what those QBs have proven that Baker Mayfield has not.
Mayfield has taken the Bucs to the playoffs twice and made two Pro Bowls in his three seasons in Tampa. The only season he didn't accomplish each was 2025, when his top three WRs from the previous year (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan) all missed significant time with injury. As did his top running back, Bucky Irving, who missed seven games. Four of his five starting offensive linemen each missed at least five games as well.
Saying the NFL only pays for what a player has already proven is one of the most ridiculous claims I have heard.
But if you insist, Mayfield has proven that he is a franchise quarterback. He has brought the Bucs stability at the most important position in football. The team is much better with him than it would be without him.
That is what teams pay for. Or at least they should.
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Mayfield, who is involved in what has become a contentious contract dispute with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has had his worth placed under a microscope over the last several weeks as everyone in the NFL world has seemingly given their opinion on how much he should be paid.
As he enters his fourth season in Tampa, Mayfield is playing out the final year of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed before the 2024 season. His current deal makes him significantly underpaid compared to the other franchise quarterbacks in the league.
A dozen QBs make over $50 million/year, and that is the minimum number Mayfield has been seeking. His current salary places him only 16th among NFL QBs, behind several signal callers he believes he is better than or at least comparable to.
The Bucs seemingly offered Mayfield the $50 million/year figure, but only for two years, a far cry from the length of the other top QBs' contracts. The lack of any "long-term lock-in," as Mayfield referred to it, left him feeling "disrespected" and "undervalued" by the team.
Mayfield lambasted the Bucs after training camp began without a new contract being finalized. The team was not happy with how its QB very publicly aired his grievances, leading many to wonder whether the two sides will indeed part ways after this season.
Many have sided with Mayfield in the dispute, or at least believe he should get paid, even if they don't think he handled the situation properly.
However, some don't believe Mayfield has earned a significant raise. According to Fox Sports, one longtime NFL scout ripped Mayfield and his feelings.
Scout Believes Mayfield Hasn't Proven Himself
The scout (who, of course, remained anonymous) is described by writer Eric D. Williams as "a longtime NFL scout intimately involved in evaluating Mayfield as a prospect coming out of Oklahoma," believes Mayfield hasn't proven himself, and strongly rejected his feelings about the negotiations to Williams.
"'Mayfield is being disrespected by the Bucs? What a crock,' the longtime NFL scout told me. 'He’s lucky they saved his career. He’s got a big ego and needs to get real. In the NFL, they only give you what you prove.'"
Does Mayfield have a big ego? Sure. At least on the field. I don't think you can succeed as an NFL quarterback if you don't.
However, this particular criticism of Mayfield appears personal to me and isn't rooted in facts.
Scout Is Just Wrong
Whatever personal feelings this scout has for Mayfield aside, what he said is just flat out wrong.
"In the NFL, they only give you what you prove."
Really?
I would love for this scout to tell me what exactly Dak Prescott ($60 million/year) has proven. Or Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence ($55 mil). What about Justin Herbert ($52.5 mil)?
At least guys like Joe Burrow ($55 mil), Jared Goff ($53 mil), and Brock Purdy ($53 mil) have reached Super Bowls, though none have won it.
We're not even gonna count Tua's old contract with the Miami Dolphins, which was also for about $53 million/year.
Mayfield has won a playoff game more recently than Burrow and has only won one fewer playoff game than Lamar Jackson has. Mayfield has won the same number of playoff games as Dak (2). Love and Lawrence have only won one, while Herbert has won exactly zero.
Not to mention, one of Mayfield's playoff wins was as QB of the Cleveland Browns, which should be graded on a massive curve.
Please, anonymous scout, tell me what those QBs have proven that Baker Mayfield has not.
Mayfield has taken the Bucs to the playoffs twice and made two Pro Bowls in his three seasons in Tampa. The only season he didn't accomplish each was 2025, when his top three WRs from the previous year (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan) all missed significant time with injury. As did his top running back, Bucky Irving, who missed seven games. Four of his five starting offensive linemen each missed at least five games as well.
Final Thoughts
Saying the NFL only pays for what a player has already proven is one of the most ridiculous claims I have heard.
But if you insist, Mayfield has proven that he is a franchise quarterback. He has brought the Bucs stability at the most important position in football. The team is much better with him than it would be without him.
That is what teams pay for. Or at least they should.
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...
