Baker Mayfield might have stopped negotiations with the Buccaneers, but this topic will be a talking point all season long. I try to provide perspective on how both sides got to this point. I also explain why the franchise tag in 2027 is absolutely on the table for Tampa Bay.

Good takes, Evan!

Thank you!

Good gosh Evan. I don’t think you could be more spot on. This is the best segment I’ve watched regarding the Baker situation.

The best reporting in the market as always! Thank you Evan!

This is really a great take and couldn’t agree more. Front office is doing their job. Hope Baker is MVP more than anyone but also like that the organization is being cautious.

We’re not making the playoffs. Our HC will be the reason not Baker. We rode with TB when EVERYBODY knows he should have been fired after the finish we had. Defense lost us most of those games. He was in charge. JMO

"What if he doesn't ball out"...or this happens around him again? Hopefully he finds a team that understands he could have quit on the team. The truth is last year he " balled out" more than ever due to the team collapsing around d him. Who "balls out" better than he did?

Great analysis!

The franchise tag is on the table but let’s say 50 million is the QB tag and then the 30 million in dead money with that 80 million torwards one player isn’t smart to try and build a roster around that . Bakers agent played this smart getting that dead money on 2027

Did you watch the video...because I explain it.

Yes I did and yes they can do the franchise tag and do it . It’s ok then what does the roster look like then ? You want an extension for YaYa Diaby and Cody Mauch then you let vita vea walk in 2027 ? Baker isn’t the only one to lock up . Restructuring deals will have to happen.

The debate you're having is whether you want Baker as your QB or not. Franchise Tag or extension, guess what? You're paying him a lot of money either way. The Bucs can negotiate the cap fairly easily. The cash flow is where it gets complicated.

I would say yes they want baker at a 2 year deal. Only way they wouldn’t is if somehow this season goes off the rails and you’re in a draft position to select manning or Moore . Looking at our team we are probably a 7 to 9 win team so I doubt that is the case .

@ECloskyWTSP I'd argue that is exactly the case they are worried about. So many questions about this team, a couple of injuries to the line and 8-9 may be a best case scenario. Committing long term money objectively makes little sense in this scenario

@ECloskyWTSP Yep we still went 2-7 with baker as the starting QB the last 9 weeks

Well put!

Agree 💯. This will be a distraction. It needs to be put to bed asap.

@StankBastard Baker over played his cards. Just came out he was offered over 100 mil for a an extra 2 seasons after this one… how could he possibly be dissatisfied with that?!?!?

Well said!

Very well done.

All of your breakdowns are elite sir! Keep it up

The Bucs karma hits hard. Coach Coen saw this mess in Tampa and got out. Arrow up in #DUUUVAL arrow down in #WeAreTheKrewe

My word! That was masterful… that was about as perfect of a breakdown of a situation that I’ve heard…man you’re good…you’re ESPN good bro.

If you have to tell people you're a franchise Qb you probably aren't

I think ownership knows another 8-9 season is in the making, which will mark the end of the Bowles era. So why spend money now? Whole new staff will be coming in. No need to hold onto Baker. Trade up in the draft for a QB. Continue to improve the defense. I can see both sides.

U hit a home run Evan, best 4 mins I have heard! Adam Sheffter said Bucs offered 100 mil over 2 yrs. Since that seems to be true it must have been low guarantee or this rant made from bake made no sense if 100 mil guaranteed right? He made it seem Bucs were at $40 mil or lower

Now do his record last 9 games last year

He’s a average! Why are people thinking he’s better than he is. He’s a turnover machine and chokes in big games. The defense saved him some last year and let him down too, but that last game with 2 interceptions and bad decisions was the reason the Bucs didn’t get in the playoffs. Brock and Love are way better.

You didn't actually explain anything. You just stated as a fact that they'd be willing to eat $80 mm of cap space on one person, no problem. The counter is that $80mm is a crapload of cap space on one person and is $30mm more than they would be eating on a long term deal.

“Didn’t actually explain anything” Proceeds to make a bad point (which was addressed in the video) It’s $30 million in dead cap It’s $50 million in immediate cash flow It is two separate buckets. As a low to mid-cash flow team, the dead cap is not an issue. If you’re going to be a jerk, ya have to perform better than that.

Excellent points Evan ! You are 100% accurate !

Fowler the initial offer was pathetic and put a bad taste in his mouth.

I wish the Dolphins had done this with Tua before signing him to that big contract. They were stuck with that after he regressed so much last season. Bad contracts can affect a tm for yrs. But I do understand Baker's point that 2 yrs is not much of a commitment for a franchise QB

Wow, great breakdown Evan! Well said, there are layers to this. Its not as simple as “pay the man”

Great job

Always drama around him.

Great take