Brad Johnson Talks Baker Mayfield Contract Stress
June 5th, 2026
“You think they want me back in Cleveland, Mike?”
Yes, the Buccaneers want Baker Mayfield to be their quarterback of the future. They’re just not ready to pay him enough for Mayfield to sign a contract.
The two sides on opposite sides of the table and Mayfield has set a start-of-training camp deadline for a new deal. Joe loves the drama and, of course, Mayfield’s deadline is subject to change. (Isn’t everything?)
The OG Bucs Super Bowl winning quarterback, Brad Johnson, weighed in on Mayfield this afternoon with Rock Riley on 95.7 FM, WDAE, where the JoeBucsFan Show airs tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Johnson told Riley that contract negotiations can take a toll on the player and those around him. Johnson referenced how the Redskins traded for him in 1999 and he gave them a deadline for a new contract. They didn’t meet it and he moved on to Tampa Bay.
“Baker, I’m sure he’s talking to his agent probably every day about [contract] kinds of things,” Johnson said. “It can become a distraction for the player whether he admits it or not, It can become a distraction for the team.”
Johnson is a Mayfield fan and believes it’ll all work out in the end.
“You got really good people there, obviously Baker and Jason [Licht], they’ll come to the right sense of mind in the end and hopefully do what’s best for the Buccaneers and for Baker.”
Joe was intrigued by Johnson noting how a QB contract negotation can distract an entire team. Given how close Mayfield is with his teammates, Joe absolutely could envision that unfolding in Tampa.