Is Giants' Daniel Jones impacting what Baker Mayfield wants from Buccaneers?

Former agent and current CBS Sports NFL contracts and salary-cap expert Joel Corry previously predicted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could hold onto quarterback Baker Mayfield via a contract similar to the four-year deal reportedly worth up to $150M that Derek Carr received from the New Orleans Saints last offseason. 

In an update shared on Wednesday, Corry suggested that it "wouldn't be too surprising" to learn Mayfield's camp wants to better the four-year contract that could be worth up to $160M that New York Giants signal-caller Daniel Jones signed in March 2023. 

"Jones signed a four-year, $160M contract with $104M in guarantees, of which $81M was fully guaranteed at signing," Corry explained. "At $40M per year, Jones is tied as the NFL's 10th-highest-paid player. Jones' contract is worth up to $195M thanks to somewhat realistically achievable incentives and salary escalators for a $48.75M per year maximum value." 

While Jones produced his best season, to date, after the Giants declined the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract, Mayfield went 11-5 as a starter with the Cleveland Browns during the 2020 campaign, guided the 2023 Buccaneers to the NFC South division title and earned his second career playoff victory this past January. 

"He is the only Buccaneers quarterback to ever throw for 300-plus yards and at least three touchdowns in a playoff game, which 2018's first overall pick did in both postseason contests," Corry added about Mayfield. That's impressive considering Mayfield replaced living legend Tom Brady atop the Tampa Bay depth chart last year. 

Corry indicated the Buccaneers "should be willing to pay Mayfield in the" neighborhood of the three-year deal worth as much as $105M that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith inked last March. With Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht reportedly saving the franchise tag for safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Licht and Mayfield's camp may have to meet somewhere in the middle regarding a contract that benefits everyone involved. 

Individuals close to Licht such as senior adviser/former head coach Bruce Arians and Hall of Famer Ronde Barber have remained confident the Buccaneers can and will keep Mayfield, Winfield and star wide receiver Mike Evans even though all three can become free agents next month. The window for Licht to use the franchise tag closes on March 5, so he has a little bit of time to see if he can convince Mayfield to accept what the executive would view as a team-friendly contract.