S.I.’s Albert Breer: Why Baker & Buccaneers Couldn’t Agree to an Extension

Baker Mayfield tried to beat the clock. Albert Breer thinks that is most of the story.

"There were conflicting timelines to some degree," the Sports Illustrated reporter told Rich. "I think Baker wanted this done earlier rather than later."

Breer's read is that Mayfield knew exactly what he was up against, because Tampa Bay has a pattern. The Buccaneers habitually finish these deals in training camp or right before the season. Tristan Wirfs is the biggest example. Luke Goedeke, the right tackle, was another. Antoine Winfield Jr., their number one corner, was the same.

So Mayfield went public in June.

"His decision to come out and say something in June was designed to accelerate talks," Breer said. "Like, look, I don't want to do this after they start training camp. He sets that artificial deadline."

The deadline did not move the building.

The number, per Breer, sits around $55 million per year, and he does not think that is an outrageous ask. His argument is arithmetic, not sentiment.

"Fifty-five is not what it used to be," he said. "I believe there are 14 quarterbacks this year making over $50 million per year."

Then the part that should end the debate. The franchise tag after this season will be $50 million. Tag Mayfield twice and you are at $110 million over two years. Divide by two and you land at $55 million per, which even an Ohio State guy can do, as Breer put it, self-owning before anyone else could.

His comparison is Goff, and it fits uncomfortably well for Tampa. The Lions got Goff at a cut rate, made him play on that cut rate for a few years, and then gave him $55 million.

"I think Baker's well within his rights to ask for something like what Goff got," Breer said.

So why isn't it done? Breer does not think it is ownership refusing to sign off. He thinks it is harder and more boring than that.

"I think it's more just how do you value a quarterback like this? And that becomes hard."

Rich pushed on the risk, and it is a real one. Breer believes the Buccaneers have not closed the book on revisiting it over the next few weeks. He also believes Mayfield has.

"I think Baker is, I'm done."

If the Bucs are still open and Mayfield is not, why not just finish it before he shuts the door for good? Breer's answer was the least satisfying one available and probably the correct one. Sometimes these things take time.

There is also the possibility that Tampa Bay is fine with the current arrangement, because an annoyed Baker Mayfield may be a useful Baker Mayfield. Rich rolled the tape.

"Like I told you guys, it's all ball and I don't want to talk about it. And if you've waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that's too bad, cuz it's only going to get worse from here. Yeah, I'm going to have a really good year."

Rich loved every second of it, and said what he has said before: Mayfield needs an adversary. Breer's amendment was that this is not the adversary Mayfield was shopping for.

"I don't think he's looking for the Bucs to be the adversary," Breer said. "But I will cape for him anytime."