Update.
As always, Joe is trying to read between the lines of what is reported.
Those who read between the lines accurately often find the truth within well-crafted words and phrases to protect both the innocent and their pipelines to teams.
Listening yesterday to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN break down where things stand with the Bucs trying to ink Baker Mayfield before Mayfield’s self-imposed deadline of Wednesday, Fowler said Mayfield’s deadline is “sort of artificial.” That means Mayfield isn’t going to shut down negotiations on Wednesday. He’ll likely flip the switch in his head to football 24/7 and leave the heavy lifting contract talk to his agent.
This is sort of what Joe said the minute Mayfield announced a deadline seven weeks ago.
Albert Breer of SI.com concurred. The Bucs, as Breer pointed out, have a recent history of extending top players during training camp. If the Bucs offer Mayfield what he wants, are we really to believe Mayfield will say, “Hell no! I told you the deadline was the start of training camp! What is your major malfunction?”
Of course Mayfield won’t do that. So as Fowler seemed to suggest, the Wednesday deadline is a soft deadline. But to hear Fowler, it sounds like it is the Bucs who have a lot of ground to make up to reach what Mayfield would agree is a fair deal.
“Time is of the essence because the Bucs veterans report on Tuesday,” Fowler said. “Baker Mayfield is on record that he wants a new deal by training camp.
“Now, if they don’t get it done, it’s sort of an artificial deadline. Maybe they can keep working at it. So the Bucs need to make some progress here.
“They want to try to get something done. They are optimistic, but they’re going to have their limits. They probably won’t give him everything he wants.”
What does Mayfield want? Fowler has been pretty consistent.
“The market is 11 different quarterbacks make at least $50 million dollars a year,” Fowler said. “Mayfield feels like he’s outplayed some of those players.
“He’s got proof of concept in Tampa after three years, so it’s going to take some financial concessions for Tampa to get this done.”
Joe believes that fair and Joe would not be shocked if, sometime before the Bucs take off for New Jersey for joint practices against the Jets, the Bucs have a special announcement to make.
If they don’t, Joe is still confident Mayfield will be your Bucs starting quarterback in 2027.
-Gonzalez and the corner market
-Diggs’ free agency
-Baker and Bucs on the clock @SportsCenter with @RandyScottESPN and @KeianaMartinTV pic.twitter.com/VDHc7oDznq
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 26, 2026
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