Todd Bowles Said Baker Mayfield’s Contract Issue Not Affecting His Practice Routine
June 12th, 2026
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Joe knows if he had some $50 million a year in limbo, he would be a complete and total basket case (more so than usual). Guess it’s a good thing this is almost routine for NFL players.
As we all know, last week Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said the Bucs’ first contract offer to the veteran signal-caller was nowhere close to what Mayfield’s camp was expecting.
Naturally, upon learning this, the distractions crowd heard their bugle call.
So yesterday after the final practice of 2026 OTAs, Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked if Mayfield has been distracted at practice or rattled in any way with his contract status for 2027 and beyond in limbo.
Mayfield enters the final year of his current Bucs contract. Bowles said Mayfield is locked in on the matter at hand on the field.
“It hasn’t,” Bowles said when asked if the contract status has Mayfield’s mind wandering. “Baker’s business — he’s all about business [on the field].
“Contract stuff takes care of itself. That’s the business side of it you don’t see and everybody has to deal with.
“I’m sure he will take care of it, but it doesn’t affect his play.”
That sounds like the Mayfield that Joe sees. Mayfield is too ingrained into the team culture to take focus off him trying to bounce back this season.
Besides, he’s too tight with his teammates to let his mind lose focus. If Mayfield has a repeat of last year, that’s going to cost him a bunch of Team Glazer loot.
The easiest way to bank some serious coin is to lock in on football. Joe would expect nothing less from Mayfield.