Bucs will replace Browns as dumbest NFL franchise if they repeat mistake and let Baker Mayfield walk

The Buccaneers are ready to risk it all and dare Baker Mayfield to walk the plank.

Mayfield looks set to enter the final year of his contract after a self-imposed deadline to agree an extension by the start of training camp came and went.

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He will become a free agent in 2027 and if Tampa Bay decides against paying him what he’s doubtlessly earned, the Browns have been told to admit defeat and right a past wrong.

“If the Browns end up being a seven-win team and the only thing holding you back is the quarterback position,” said 92.3 The Fan host Nick Wilson. “And a year from now Baker Mayfield is a free agent. $60 million or $55 million settles a lot of previous grievances.”

Mayfield is no stranger to being disrespected.

The former No. 1 overall pick is the only quarterback to win a playoff game since the Browns’ rebirth in 1999 — passing for three touchdowns in a thrilling 48-37 wild-card win over the Steelers.

Patrick Mahomes‘ Chiefs proved too strong in the Divisional Round, but Cleveland was a legit contender.

The next season Mayfield played through a severe torn labrum and failed to reach the same heights. He didn’t even get a contract offer before being unceremoniously dumped in favor of Deshaun Watson.

How did that one work out, Andrew Berry?

After rebuilding his career in Carolina and Los Angeles, the former Sooner was handed the unenviable job of taking over from the GOAT, Tom Brady.

Taking a $4 million prove-it deal in Tampa Bay, he led the Bucs to two division titles and received back-to-back Pro Bowl nods, as well as a three-year, $100 million deal.

In 2025, he managed to play 17 games despite suffering a sprained MCL and PCL, a biceps injury, and a shoulder AC-joint sprain.

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An 8-9 record ended the Heisman winner’s postseason streak in Florida, and the Bucs are using that failure as an excuse to pocket the checkbook.

It’s all very familiar.

Mayfield threw for a career high 4,500 yards in 2024 with 41 touchdowns and 16 touchdowns.

Short of a Mahomes-esque 5,000 and 50 — and even the Chiefs sensation has only done that once — what exactly is Baker supposed to do to prove he can cook?

Sure, the Bucs could take a run at Mac Jones or a rookie from the highly-touted Class of 2027, but the odds are whoever comes in will be far worse than the card they already hold.

If Mayfield is back to his best in 2026, the team will probably be forced to pay up and give him a $200 million contract to tie him up for his peak years.

He may tell them to stick it — even with the prospect of being tagged for 2027 — and leave the Bucs heading for a shipwreck.

Mayfield deserves at least one shot at an organization that truly believes in him and is ready to go all-in, I just pray it isn’t the Browns.

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Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson as ringmaster for Browns circus?

Sure, Kevin Stefanski is gone, but general manager Berry and owner Jimmy Haslam are still in situ, although the former may be on a short leash.

Frankly, like Mayfield, the Dawg Pound deserves better.

The gritty gunslinger not afraid to speak his mind was exactly what the NFL‘s worst franchise needed to lift decades of gloom.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t given a chance and the Browns’ quarterback room is a sneak peak at what could be in store for the Bucs.

Whether its Watson or Shedeur Sanders, defeat in the first round of the playoffs is probably the very best Cleveland can hope for. The QB battle is a fight for the right to hand the reins to the next man in a year tops.

Watson could possibly ride this defense to a record just good enough to end any hopes of landing an Arch Manning, CJ Carr or Dante Moore to cap a miserable spell.

Sanders is not going to be the answer — better players have tried and failed in the Browns QB1 jersey — but he could end up handing over to the next lucky contestant.

Best go with youth and hope the Bucs are foolish enough not to make Mayfield an offer he can’t refuse.