Todd Bowles Has 'Absolutely No Question' About Baker Mayfield, But His Final Week of July Deadline Is Very Real

Alright, Emerald City, listen up! The NFL news cycle is already wild, and a major contract standoff is brewing down in Tampa Bay that could shake things up big-time. We're talking about Baker Mayfield, the guy who basically resurrected his career with the Buccaneers, and his future with the team. Coach Todd Bowles just went on record saying there's "absolutely no question" he wants Mayfield as his long-term quarterback. Sounds great, right? Except Mayfield himself dropped a bomb last week, saying he and the Bucs are "not anywhere close" to a new deal for the 2026 season. Yikes.

Coach Bowles's Unwavering Faith

You gotta appreciate a coach who backs his guy, and Bowles is doing exactly that. He's not just saying he wants Mayfield, he's saying it with "absolutely no question." Bowles believes the contract drama hasn't even touched Mayfield's performance. "Baker's all business. He's all about business," Bowles stated. He thinks the "contract stuff takes care of itself" and that Mayfield "doesn't let it affect his play." The track record backs it up, too. Mayfield signed a one-year "prove it" deal in 2023 for up to $8.5 million and then led the Bucs to back-to-back NFC South titles in 2023 and 2024 immediately following Tom Brady's retirement. He's got a 27-24 (.529) record as their starter. Just the other day in practice, he was connecting with veteran receiver Chris Godwin Jr. on back-to-back touchdowns in 7-on-7s. Plus, he even colored his hair red for a pediatric cancer charity event and was in good spirits. Bowles doubled down, calling him "a true pro" and stating, "We love him here."

The Looming July Ultimatum

Here's where it gets sticky, folks. While Bowles is all sunshine and rainbows, Mayfield and his agent, Tom Mills, have laid down a hard deadline that's impossible to ignore. They want a new deal done before training camp, specifically the final week in July, when he's expected to report. If there's no deal by then, negotiations shut down completely so he can focus on football. If they can't get it done, Mayfield becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027. He put it plainly, saying, "It's not up to me when that gets done by." With his current three-year, $100 million deal ending after the 2026 season and negotiations "not anywhere close" to what was expected, this hard line is all about his future. So, what does this all mean for the NFL landscape? This isn't just some inside baseball chatter. The Bucs clearly want Mayfield, and he's delivered for them. But with that July deadline looming large, the clock is ticking. Will they bridge that gap and secure their guy for the long haul, or will this turn into a full-blown staredown that could see a proven winner hit the open market next year? Keep your eyes peeled, Seattle. This is far from over.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.