“Just as a middle finger to the Buccaneers”: NFL insider drops surprising Baker Mayfield prediction as Buccaneers QB could find a better landing spot in the AFC | NFL News
Baker Mayfield’s future in Tampa Bay could become one of the NFL’s more intriguing contract stories after the 2026 season. The Buccaneers quarterback wants to stay, but Mike Florio believes a failed long-term deal could push him toward an unexpected AFC destination. Florio has identified the Pittsburgh Steelers as a particularly strong fit, even suggesting Mayfield might accept less money to leave Tampa Bay if the situation turns sour. That possibility adds another layer to negotiations that have already stalled, especially with Mayfield entering the final year of his current contract and set to hit free agency in 2027.
Why could Baker Mayfield leave the Buccaneers for Pittsburgh?
Baker Mayfield has already made his preference clear. His family is settled in Tampa, and he wants to continue playing for the Buccaneers. The problem is the length of the contract, rather than simply the money.According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tampa Bay offered Mayfield a two-year extension worth around $50 million annually. Mayfield, however, was looking for more years. That gap could become important if the quarterback enters 2027 without a new deal.Florio believes Mayfield’s personality could make the situation even more interesting. The quarterback has responded strongly to perceived slights before, and Florio pointed back to his time with Cleveland.“Baker Mayfield is no different than the guy that he was when he was drafted first overall by the Browns in 2018, and they pissed him off,” Florio said on the “Pardon My Take” podcast. “And what happens when you piss off Baker Mayfield?”Florio then raised the possibility of Mayfield deliberately choosing a different path.“He could take less, just as a middle finger to the Buccaneers for not paying him when they had the chance,” Florio said.That is where Pittsburgh enters the picture.
Is Pittsburgh really a perfect landing spot for Baker Mayfield?
Florio sees the Steelers as more than a random alternative. He called Pittsburgh a “perfect” destination and suggested Mayfield could value the fit enough to leave money on the table.“I could see him taking less money to go to Pittsburgh, to some other — like, Pittsburgh is the perfect — it just feels like the perfect destination for him.”The timing could also make the Steelers an interesting option. Aaron Rodgers has already said 2026 will be his final season, potentially leaving Pittsburgh searching for its next starting quarterback.Mayfield will have plenty to prove before that decision arrives. He completed 343 of 543 passes for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts during the 2025 regular season while playing through injuries.His QB Impact Metric from PFN dropped to 74.4, ranking 22nd, after an 86.1 score and fourth-place ranking in 2024. Still, Mayfield has a history of responding when his future is uncertain.“The other part of this is the Bucs and the entire NFL have seen what Baker Mayfield can do when he’s got something to prove, when his back is against the wall,” Rapoport said.That may be the biggest factor heading into 2026. If Mayfield performs like he did in his stronger Tampa Bay season, the Buccaneers may have to revisit their position quickly. If they do not, Pittsburgh could become a genuine option rather than just Florio’s intriguing prediction.
