From 'Ka-chow' to ka-ching: How Baker Mayfield found out about his new contract

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' contract talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield's agent were shrouded in such secrecy last week that not even he knew about them until the day before agreeing to terms on a three-year deal worth $165 million. "Apparently they engaged in talks last week that I did not know about until Monday about 6 p.m.," said Mayfield, who told his agent, Tom Mills, and general manager Jason Licht that once he reported to training camp, he was "done talking about it" until after the season. But there was one small exception. Mayfield told Mills: "Unless something really changes -- you can bring that to my attention. If you think I'll actually be willing to agree to it, then bring it to my attention." Licht respected Mayfield's wishes. But having secured Vita Vea after the defensive tackle had requested a trade and was a training camp hold-in, he thought it was worth one last-gasp effort before the start of the season. Licht, assistant GM Mike Greenberg and vice president of football research Jacqueline Davidson got to work and gave Mills a buzz. Mayfield and Mills believed the Bucs' initial offers didn't reflect his value. But the Bucs thought their last offer before training camp -- for two years and just north of $50 million, according to sources -- wasn't far off. As talks broke off, Mayfield and Mills made it clear what they were seeking, and when the Bucs reached back out, they offered something more competitive, according to a source. On Monday night, while Mayfield and his wife, Emily, were eating dinner, Mills texted Mayfield: "Hey, I think I need to give you a call. I need to update you on something." Mills would call him again with what would be the final terms of the agreement while Mayfield was at the movie theater with teammates and their children watching the 20th anniversary release of the movie "Cars." "That was fun," Mayfield said. "Step away from Lightning McQueen for a second to agree to that." Things weren't always agreeable. The Bucs have not typically had players express their contract grievances publicly -- with the exception of former wide receiver Mike Evans in 2023 -- and Mayfield broke form by not only speaking about it but getting into numbers. Though it caused friction inside the building at One Buc, Licht praised Mayfield's authenticity and passion. Mayfield said many times that he has achieved his greatest professional and personal success in Tampa because "they've let me be myself." "One of the things I love the most about Baker is you never have to question or wonder how he feels," Licht said. "We got an example of that last month, but it's that passion that he has that makes him tick and what he is as a player. And we're just so excited that he's going to be here in the future for as long as we can." Licht even joked that some of their back-and-forth exchanges during the heat of negotiation were "not safe for work." But Licht attested, "We knew deep down that at some point we'd get something done." Mayfield nodded in agreement. "Like I said before, we know Baker and we know that he likes to tell you how he feels, and that's what we love about him, so that's not going to change," Licht said. "So you always kind of like to know where you stand, have that relationship both ways." "It's also fun when you learn that somebody's pretty easy to get stirred up," Mayfield joked. Licht laughed, "Just don't do it on vacation." Mayfield was then asked if it's safe to assume that the deal's completion keeps Licht off "the list" of his personal grievances with doubters and others. Mayfield created the list back in high school and had updated it throughout college as a source of motivation. He even added media members and stored screenshots of offending tweets on his phone. "Haven't updated that thing in a long time. There was a time and point where I used a lot of that negative stuff to fuel me, but I've found the fire within," Mayfield said. "I still have so much to prove. This isn't, 'I've made it.' This is life-changing money and this is stuff that for us is unbelievable, but it's an opportunity to help the community to continue to progress and move forward. Main goal is still a Super Bowl, and I don't have one of those." Mayfield said the new deal -- the richest in the franchise's history -- won't change his approach to the season, although his teammates cracked jokes at his expense. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who was among the teammates with Mayfield when he got the call asked, "Baker, now that you've done your deal, the O-line is wondering what the Christmas gifts are going to be?" Wirfs, left guard Ben Bredeson, center Graham Barton and right guard Cody Mauch all stood in the back of the room watching Mayfield revel in the moment. Baker and Emily invited them up on stage. They each took turns greeting his 2-year-old daughter, Kova -- who donned a No. 6 jersey and uttered "Dadda" several times -- and their 5-month-old son, Maverick. "A lot of the guys are making jokes, but it's all fun and whatnot, but for me, I'm going to lead," Mayfield said. "It doesn't matter what the contract is, doesn't matter what the outside thinks. I'm going to lead the best way I can and just be myself and play with fire and passion and try and be the best quarterback on the field."