4 Reasons Buccaneers Should Extend Baker Mayfield Now
4 Reasons Buccaneers Should Extend Baker Mayfield Now
The Bucs should go ahead and get this done with Baker Mayfield. River Wells|
In this story:
Tampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield both want to get a contract extension done for him to remain in Tampa Bay — that much has been made clear by both sides. But when Mayfield has been asked about it by media this offseason, it hasn't seemed like that deal is coming to fruition soon.
Mayfield told reporters during OTAs that he and the Buccaneers were not close to a contract extension and that he had set a deadline for training camp to get a deal done — and if they don't by then, they'd save negotiation until after the season. There are clearly a few hangups that either side has when it comes to a new deal despite their mutual interest, and the clock is ticking as training camp approaches at the end of July.
The Bucs and Mayfield will probably get something done, even if that deadline comes and goes. The Bucs and general manager Jason Licht don't need to hear it from us, but we put together four reasons why getting an extension done with Mayfield as soon as possible would benefit the Bucs in a big way.
Good Quarterbacks Don't Come Around Often (And Aren't Cheap)
The Buccaneers should know more than anyone how hard it is to find a quarterback who lasts. Prior to Tom Brady's arrival in Tampa Bay in 2020 (and he was only there for three years), the Buccaneers had a revolving door of quarterbacks and weren't ever able to get off the ground because of it. Mayfield offers some consistency that Tampa Bay arguably hasn't had for a very long time, and the Bucs should take advantage.
Mayfield has played for the Buccaneers for three seasons and is entering his fourth, and outside of a rough back half to 2025, he's only ever elevated Tampa Bay. He threw 41 touchdowns in 2024 and won a playoff game for the Bucs in 2023, and finding a quarterback who can do even that for you in the NFL is very, very difficult.
And when you do, they can get expensive, so it's best to settle the financials now. Mayfield is likely to earn over $50 million APY on this new deal. If you wait to sign him, and he does well? That number could skyrocket, and it could make roster building in the future needlessly difficult.
It Looks Good on Management for Future Negotiations
Everyone is watching when a player wants a new deal. How a franchise treats a player when they want an extension and a show of good faith matters, and free agents (and their agents) will keep this in mind when determining what organization to play for in the future.
The Bucs have generally been good about re-signing important players to big contracts. If they do the same with Mayfield and they give him what he wants after he's played so well for Tampa Bay, the league will continue to acknowledge that Licht rewards his players when they want it and that the Bucs are a good organization to play for.
His Teammates and Coaches Love Him
It's no secret that just about everyone in the organization is a big fan of Mayfield. Tristan Wirfs recently spoke on it in an interview with WFLA, and he made his thoughts very clear on the team's relationship with Mayfield.
"Obviously, I want him to be here for a long time. I want him to be my quarterback for a long time. So, I hope things work out for him and with the whole contract situation," Wirfs said. "But I know he’s still the same guy who’s coming in here day in and day out and leading us... I know he's gonna be the same dog that he always is.”
Combine that with the fact that head coach Todd Bowles told media that he "absolutely" wants Mayfield as his quarterback, and it's easy to see that he's beloved throughout the building. If the Bucs want to reinforce that culture as soon as possible, they should get Mayfield extended.
His Play Deserves It
Mayfield wants to be paid like a top 10 quarterback, and while his exact ranking in the NFL can be debated, his stats in Tampa Bay have been impressive.
Mayfield has boasted a passer rating of 98.4 with 13,108 yards, 103 touchdowns and 39 interceptions in 54 games with the Bucs, including the playoffs. Per SumerSports, his total EPA since 2023 (172.49) is 10th in the NFL across that span, and his total EPA/play ( 0.087) is 15th. He's shown himself to be a consistent performer over his entire Bucs tenure, and that consistency is likely worth locking down for the long term.
Injuries across the board, including to himself, hampered the back half of his 2025 campaign. And while there's still plenty for him to work on as a quarterback, the stats would indicate that he deserves to be paid like the NFL's best quarterbacks.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Published Jun 22, 2026
RIVER WELLSRiver Wells is a sports journalist from St. Petersburg, Florida, who has covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2023. He graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 2021. You can follow him on Twitter @riverhwells.
Follow @riverhwellsHome/Tampa Bay Buccaneers News
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
