NFL analyst criticizes Bucs GM for paying Baker Mayfield over rival QB

Throughout a current version of the “Across the NFL” podcast, NFL Media analyst Dan Hanzus steered that Tampa Bay Buccaneers normal supervisor Jason Licht ought to’ve tried to pursue quarterback Kirk Cousins as an alternative of paying Baker Mayfield this offseason. 

“If you’re keen to go that top for Baker, salary-wise, why not rework a few extra offers and make an actual play for Kirk? And then you definitely don’t, after which he leads to your personal division, after which he goes to the workforce that has the very best roster to contend in that division,” Hanzus stated in regards to the scenario, per the JoeBucsFan web site. 

There’s lots to unpack right here. 

Forward of the beginning of the NFL’s authorized tampering portion of free company, Mayfield agreed to a three-year deal that reportedly has a most worth of $115M with $30M assured in 2024 and $30M (with $20M assured) in 2025 to stay with the Buccaneers. It is believed Tampa Bay might escape that contract as quickly as subsequent offseason. 

To match, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 11 that Cousins obtained a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M assured to make the transfer from the Minnesota Vikings to the Atlanta Falcons. 

Such figures inform solely a part of the story. Even before information about Cousins’ contract broke, some hinted that the Falcons ignored NFL tampering guidelines concerning when groups can converse with pending free brokers. It was subsequently revealed on March 14 that the league was “trying into potential tampering by” the Falcons. 

Cousins possibly was houses and colleges within the Atlanta space earlier than he was permitted to have contact with the Falcons. His spouse grew up in Alpharetta, which is a part of the Atlanta metropolitan space. 

Briefly, some would conclude that Cousins by no means would’ve been an possibility for the Buccaneers or any membership apart from the Falcons.  

As for Mayfield’s relationship with the Buccaneers, Licht and others throughout the group have left little doubt about how standard he’s amongst Tampa Bay gamers and coaches after he guided the workforce to the NFC South division title and a playoff victory this previous season. In the meantime, the 2023 Falcons completed at 7-10.

Mayfield mentioned that “it’s at all times enjoyable to hearken to the opinions” of individuals primarily saying that the Falcons are the uncrowned division champions for the 2024 marketing campaign. Hanzus could have unintentionally given some bulletin board materials to people who’ve a history of preserving receipts.