Only a few moments after his press convention saying the re-signing of Bucs Professional Bowl vast receiver Mike Evans, basic supervisor Jason Licht was already fielding questions concerning the contract talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield.
On Wednesday, Pewter Report reported that the Bucs and Mayfield’s camp weren’t shut when it comes to reaching an settlement on a long-term contract extension. At the start of contract talks, either side had been about $19 million per 12 months aside. Mayfield and the Bucs have made progress since then, however no deal seems to be imminent.
Licht didn’t reveal an excessive amount of concerning the progress of contract talks on Friday aside from to say: “We’ve had good conversations.”
Whereas the Bucs wish to get a deal accomplished previous to the beginning of free company subsequent week, Licht did point out that Mayfield might truly hit the market.
“You simply have to stay affected person,” Licht mentioned. “You possibly can’t panic and also you’ve bought to know generally you’ve bought to let a few of them go into free company after which come again. So hopefully they arrive again. You don’t need to do one thing that places your membership in a nasty place. And on the identical time, you additionally need to do all the things you possibly can to place your membership in a superb place.”
Bucs, Jason Licht Could Let Baker Mayfield Hit Free Company
Bucs GM Jason Licht – Photograph by: Adam Slivon/PR
Jason Licht and the Bucs have had earlier success retaining a number of of their very own free brokers which have hit the market. Two years in the past it was cornerback Carlton Davis III, and final 12 months cornerback Jamel Dean and linebacker Lavonte David every hit free company and in the end returned to Tampa Bay after they discovered their market was not as strong as they’d hoped.
Licht was requested if these earlier situations with prior Bucs free brokers give him the boldness that if Baker Mayfield hit free company he would return, too.
“The arrogance comes from that we’re in an awesome group, that it is a excellent place to play, we’ve bought an awesome group,” Licht mentioned. “You don’t ever take it with no consideration and consider how they’ll come again since you by no means know. Each scenario is totally different, however the truth that now we have the possession that now we have, the gamers that now we have, the employees that now we have, the coaches, then that offers you some confidence that they’ll make the choice that you simply hope that they make.”
Pewter Report has beforehand reported that Mayfield might have at the least two suitors within the NFC with the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings presumably exhibiting curiosity if he hits free company. Mayfield had a profession 12 months in Tampa Bay in 2023 after signing a one-year, prove-it cope with a $4 million base wage and incentives that pushed the deal near $8 million in whole.
Mayfield, who turns 29 in April, threw for 4,000 yards for the primary time in his six-year NFL profession, in addition to throwing a career-high 28 touchdowns and simply 10 interceptions. The previous No. 1 total choose helped the Bucs win the NFC South for a 3rd straight season and beat Philadelphia within the Wild Card spherical of the playoffs earlier than dropping at Detroit within the Divisional spherical of the postseason.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA Immediately
Whereas Wednesday, March 13 is the official begin of free company when it comes to gamers being allowed to signal contracts with new groups, the open negotiating interval begins at midday on Monday, March 11. After all groups and brokers meet secretly on the NFL Scouting Mix to have conversations to gauge a participant’s value and maybe point out curiosity within the membership’s behalf, as Licht hinted at on Friday.
“Nicely plenty of them know what the market is at this level,” Licht mentioned. “I believe the beginning of the negotiation interval is absolutely virtually the identical as the beginning of free company as a result of they’re already speaking and negotiating.
“So, as we get to Monday, any of our gamers aren’t signed – it doesn’t imply they’re not coming again. It simply implies that perhaps we’ve bought an settlement that hey they’ll see what [their] value [is]. Now we have a disagreement proper from time to time let’s simply attempt to work it out. We don’t need the participant to be sad, both.”
Does Mike Evans’ Return To The Bucs Sign A Return For Baker Mayfield, Too?
Now that Mike Evans is again within the fold, re-signing with Tampa Bay for 2 extra years, does Jason Licht see a hyperlink between Evans and Baker Mayfield? Does the star receiver’s return assist Mayfield resolve to stay in Tampa Bay?
“I see a hyperlink between the 2 as a result of they like one another, they performed properly with one another,” Licht mentioned. “However it’s not, as soon as once more, it’s doesn’t make it computerized. I’m not taking it anyone with no consideration right here. So it’s a superb begin. [Evans is] a superb participant to throw to. Who wouldn’t need to throw to him? However Baker’s bought to decide for him – for himself.”
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Licht has some confidence that Baker Mayfield will return to the Bucs however revealed that the group has some backup choices simply in case it doesn’t work out.
“You all the time should have, as Bruce [Arians] would say, look behind door two and three and 4 and 5. So yeah, we all the time really feel like we’d like choices.”
Throughout Friday’s press convention, Evans expressed his want to have Mayfield re-sign with the Bucs to allow them to choose up the place they left off in 2023.
“Me and Baker speak,” Evans mentioned. “I simply need what’s greatest for him. I believe what could be greatest for him could be to play with me and Chris [Godwin], however there’s plenty of nice receivers on this league that would use his companies as properly.
“However you recognize I can play with whoever is at quarterback. Clearly, I hope it’s Baker, but when not I could make it work. Hopefully, we get him again – he’s a hell of a participant. I recognize [him]. They’re going to deal with their course of and I belief Jason and the entrance workplace it doesn’t matter what occurs.”
