Baker Mayfield is being disrespected again. Oklahoma fans already know what’s coming next, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are about to find out after messing around.
Mayfield was completely transparent during his press conference on Thursday about his contract situation as the Bucs’ presumed franchise quarterback. He had set a hard deadline to get a deal done by the start of training camp, and after that, deal or no deal, his only focus would be football. The Bucs called Mayfield’s bluff and now the closest thing they’ve ever had to a franchise quarterback will likely be a free agent at the end of the season.
A weak two-year contract offer was a slap in the face to Mayfield, who has made Tampa home and been honest that he wants to stay put. And there was no reason for Mayfield to think differently considering even Buccaneers ownership publicly stated they considered Mayfield as their franchise quarterback.
"I really know what I've brought to this franchise leadership-wise and even play-wise,” Mayfield said. "It's been some of the best years of my career, and I think it's only gonna trend upwards. Just being comfortable and feeling that, so, disappointing in that regard to not, you know, feel disrespected a little bit. And that's really the disappointing part to feel undervalued after thinking you've earned it."
"To feel disrespected a little bit, and that's really the disappointing part."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 30, 2026
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield's full statement on not having a new contract heading into training camp ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wIRBMuHVCj
'Disrespected' Baker Mayfield should ignite MVP beliefs from Sooners fans
Mayfield is no stranger to disrespect. His story is stuff of legend in Oklahoma and that’s why most of us can predict what’s coming next.
He was disrespected as a recruit, then at Texas Tech became the first walk-on ever to start at quarterback as a true freshman for a Power 5 program. Then Texas Tech disrespected him, and at OU, he went from walk-on to Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick as one of the greatest college quarterbacks ever.
The Bucs have also been on the receiving end of this. The Cleveland Browns did Mayfield dirty as he became an NFL journeyman in 2022 before getting to Tampa and now getting to the point where we’re talking four years later about him being the franchise QB there.
Disrespect and not being good enough is what has made Mayfield great. It’s honestly mind-boggling how it keeps happening time and time again.
Oklahoma fans hear this and instinctively expect an MVP season from Mayfield. Not only is that what we’ve witnessed time and time again, but he was an MVP candidate just last season before injuries decimated the Bucs and derailed everything.
Read more: Baker Mayfield deserves better than the Buccaneers' collapsing Super Bowl dream
The Bucs would obviously benefit from their QB1 playing at an MVP level, but it would be only short-term. That would also mean paying Mayfield more in March than they’d have to now.
What the Bucs don’t want to become is the next Texas Tech or Cleveland Browns on Mayfield’s famous list. You think he was good for you after the disrespect? Just wait until he’s somewhere else to prove you wrong.
But this has been the theme of Baker Mayfield’s story, and the climax is still to come.
Add us as a preferred source on Google