After winning the NFC South in 2024, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were set to repeat in 2025, but they finished second, with the Carolina Panthers taking the division title. It was not the year the Buccaneers expected, and although there was still belief in the building, vibes are souring in Tampa Bay.
Baker Mayfield May Have Talked His Way Out of Tampa Bay
So far, the two main topics of Bucs Training Camp have not been about what is actually happening on the field. Star DT Vita Vea requested a trade after contract discussions did not go well, and discussions with starting QB Baker Mayfield’s contract have also gone in the wrong direction.
Sources revealed to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that the Buccaneers’ final offer to Mayfield was a two-year deal worth “slightly above $100 million in total.” The quarterback declined the offer and, in an interview with the media, explained that he felt disrespected by its length.
Mayfield has never been shy about voicing his opinion, but by doing that, it has made the Bucs front office upset, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter:
“It almost feels like it’s Baker versus the team. Baker’s not happy with them; they’re not happy with the way he spoke about the organization; that’s not great.”
“Baker Mayfield isn’t happy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers..
The team isn’t happy about the way he spoke about the organization” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/feIPXrXCsz
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 31, 2026
Then, Buccaneers’ beat writer Rick Stroud responded to the above video and emphasized that the organization down in Tampa Bay does not respond well to disrespect.
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He said, “One thing I know about the Bucs ownership is they don’t want to be disrespected either and Mayfield may have crossed the line a bit.”
One thing I know about the Bucs ownership is they don’t want to be disrespected either and Mayfield may have crossed the line a bit. https://t.co/dxgeUPnPWs
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) July 31, 2026
This entire situation is something that probably shouldn’t be in the public eye, but because it is, it’s created animosity between both parties. Instead of going into 2026 with great vibes and a belief of taking the NFC South title back, the Bucs have to deal with this issue, and an unhappy QB is never good for any team.
On this topic, Schefter also spoke about the contract offer itself, explaining that the Bucs absolutely feel like their offer made sense. He then reiterated that Mayfield was unhappy about the length of the deal.
“The Buccaneers were offering Baker Mayfield over $50M a year..
They felt their offers in the final days of the negotiations were competitive..
They offered Baker Mayfield a two year deal worth slightly above $100M in total” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/iUisKgKj7w pic.twitter.com/H78uczZe6E
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 31, 2026
For the Buccaneers, their fans, and their players, hopefully, this situation gets resolved; if not, Mayfield may be hitting the open market soon.
After finishing 4th in 2024 and 22nd last season in PFN’s QB Impact Metric, there will be suitors looking at Mayfield as an option, and they may be willing to provide his ideal contract.
This would leave the Bucs without a QB and potentially start a new rebuild in Tampa Bay.
