Bucs decide quickly to sign a $35 million quarterback if Baker Mayfield isn’t re-signed.
In the event that Baker Mayfield is not re-signed, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may need to acquire a quarterback.
Even though Mayfield and the Bucs will try to win it back for another season, Tampa Bay could need to prepare a backup plan in case Mayfield chooses to sign with another team. The Buccaneers are tied for eighth-best odds to sign Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, per DraftKings’ betting odds.
Reasons Buccaneers Might Go After Kirk Cousins
Following the 2023 season, the 35-year-old quarterback will be eligible for free agency after playing under a $35 million contract. Statistically speaking, Cousins has been among the league’s best quarterbacks for the past few years, earning trips to the Pro Bowl in both 2021 and 2022.
Entering Week 8, Cousins led the league in touchdown passes and was ranked second in passing yards, putting him on track to have one of his best seasons to date. But in a victory over the Green Bay Packers, he had a torn Achilles injury that ended his season.
Even though Cousins is about to enter his 36th season and it is unclear how he will recover from a catastrophic injury, Spotrac still estimates that he has a high market value given his recent output. It is predicted that Cousins will make $39.3 million a season, or $118.1 million over the course of three years.
He would then be paid the eleventh highest salary of any quarterback in the NFL. Moreover, his estimated amount surpasses Mayfield’s four-year total of $108.5 million, which is $27.1 million each season.
The first option for the Buccaneers is to re-sign Baker Mayfield.
Re-signing Mayfield will undoubtedly be the Bucs’ first choice after he helped Tampa Bay to an unexpected division title and postseason appearance. The Buccaneers not only qualified for the postseason but also emerged victorious in the wild card round against the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning NFC champions.
While playing in his first Pro Bowl in the 2023 season, Mayfield accomplished this while having what was perhaps the best season of his career. For the first time in his career, the 28-year-old quarterback was placed in the top 10 in throwing yards and touchdowns.
Having said that, free agency can lead to many unanticipated events. It’s important to note that, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, neither party has lately held “substantive” contract negotiations.
“Substantial contract talks have not taken place recently,” Garafolo stated on Sunday, February 11. As the onset of free agency draws near, there will be. Mayfield played for somewhat less than $7 million the previous year, but the cost will increase significantly.
Mayfield recently stated that Tampa Bay had the upper hand in a segment on The Dan Patrick Show.
On Friday, February 9, Mayfield declared, “Right now, the ball is in [Tampa Bay’s] court.” “I’ve talked a lot about our shared interests. I was deeply grateful for the chance I was given there. I’ve been outspoken about how they operate the organization, what they stand for, and how we get our men in the best position to succeed.
It’s important to remember that Mike Evans is a free agent as well, and in the interview, Mayfield alluded to the fact that he would be willing to make some financial “sacrifices” in order to retain his best receiver in Tampa Bay.
Mayfield remarked, “I think there would be some sacrifice along the way.” “It would be beneficial for us to get back together.”
If Mayfield goes, the Buccaneers would probably go after someone like Cousins since they have no intention of rebuilding or reloading with a rookie quarterback.
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