Buccaneers Ownership Willing To Extend QB Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract, and Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has already projected confidence in reaching an agreement on an extension.
Now, co-owner Joel Glazer has indicated (via Pewter Report’s Matt Matera) that the team is willing to write a big check to keep Mayfield in Tampa Bay.
“Obviously the quarterback is the highest paid position on the team, rightfully so,” Glazer said. “That means that it’s going good, so if the quarterback’s making top money, then your team is probably doing well and the quarterbacks performing well.”That doesn’t hurt at all to write that check, it’s something that all the teams do when you have good quarterbacks.”
He signed a three-year, $100MM extension during the 2024 offseason and immediately played like an elite quarterback with top-five marks in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating (though he also led the league with 16 interceptions). He regressed significantly in 2025, with solid volume numbers but below-average efficiency metrics.
But similar to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens last year, Mayfield’s statistical downturn was not isolated. Tampa Bay’s offense was ravaged by injuries with tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and running back Bucky Irving all missing significant time. Mayfield played through multiple injuries himself. Tampa Bay also lost offensive Liam Coen in the previous offseason, and his replacement, Josh Grizzard, was not able to fill his shoes.
The 2018 No. 1 pick has demonstrated an ability to bounce back already in his career, so the Buccaneers should still have plenty of reason to extend him. As always, an exact price tag will be the sticking point. Mayfield’s $33.3MM AAV in 2024 represented 13.1% of the cap. Now, that number would be just under $40MM, which is what Matthew Stafford signed for last offseason. Mayfield could shoot for the $44-46MM range, where Daniel Jones now sits in an unusual trio alongside Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Pushing above that and closer to $50MM feels unlikely for a 31-year-old coming off a down year, but Mayfield has an argument to be paid like a top-10 quarterback.
The Buccaneers are certainly satisfied with what they have gotten so far.
“He’s gone above and beyond anything we could’ve asked or hoped for Baker,” Glazer added. “Everybody loves him, performs, gives 250 percent when he’s on that field and that’s all you can ask for.
Raiders Receiving Interest In No. 1 Pick
It happens almost every year. Months of pre-draft evaluation have established a clear top quarterback in the draft class who is projected to be drafted with the No. 1 pick. And then the trade offers come in.
This year, the QB1 is Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who has long been considered a lock for the Raiders with the first overall selection. That has not stopped teams from reaching out to Las Vegas about trading up, general manager John Spytek revealed on Tuesday.
“We’ve gotten a few calls, and those teams know where they stand,” Spytek said (via ESPN’s Ryan McFadden), an indication that the Raiders have no intention of moving their pick.
The Bears were willing to trade in the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, which resulted in a major blockbuster with the Panthers, who drafted Bryce Young. Among the picks sent to Chicago was Carolina’s 2024 first-rounder, which turned out to be the top pick that year. Again, the Bears fielded calls from teams who wanted to move up for Caleb Williams, but they never seemed to consider another trade down as a real option. The Patriots, who were drafting third, also received interest in their pick with teams looking to draft Drake Maye. Both teams stayed put and are likely thankful they did so.
The jury is still out on Tennessee resisting overtures for the No. 1 pick last year and sticking with Cam Ward. The Giants, who were among the teams who pursued Maye, sent multiple offers to the Titans all the way up until draft day. Presumably, their haul would have been similar to the Panthers’ package in 2023, two first- and two second-round picks.
The Raiders should be able to receive that kind of value this year, especially in a draft class with only one consensus first-round quarterback. Next year’s draft offers a deeper crop of prospects to choose from, and trading the No. 1 pick would give them the ammunition to land a quarterback from that group.
But ultimately, a trade does not make sense for the Raiders. Between their coaching change and roster upgrades, they are positioned to have a much better season than their 3-14 2025 campaign, resulting in a lower first-round pick. With multiple teams targeting quarterbacks in the 2027 draft, it may be difficult for Las Vegas to land their desired prospect. Other teams may not be willing to trade down, and even if they are, the Raiders will have to outbid other suitors. That is a much more complicated and uncertain proposition than simply drafting Mendoza this year and calling it a day.
Spytek suggested that Las Vegas is thinking along the same lines.
“If there’s a player that stands out that we feel it’s not worth losing, it’s not worth even picking up the phone, then we’ll just make the pick,” Spytek continued. “But if it’s a player that we’re not as excited about, or there’s a group of players that we would love to pick from, and we can get value for that, we’re certainly open to listening to that.”
Steelers Expected Aaron Rodgers Decision In Mid-February, Continue To Wait On QB
In an eerily similar offseason to 2025, the Steelers continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers. This time, however, the team did not seem to expect the process to drag on like it has.
While Rodgers went into the 2025 season expecting it to be his last, the aging great changed his tune and has been talking to Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan this offseason. But no deal is in place. The Steelers have also not heard for certain whether Rodgers will indeed return for a 21st season, and the delay is approaching the two-month mark.
The Steelers expected to hear from Rodgers on his future around mid-February, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. After nothing emerged, a new loose deadline placed free agency as the next window. When Rodgers did not let his 2025 employer know about his interest in a second season at that point, Art Rooney II pointed to the draft as the next point in which the team expected to find out the future Hall of Famer’s plans.
Rodgers, 42, did not sign with the Steelers until just before mandatory minicamp last year. The quarterback cited personal reasons at the time for the wait. Although Rodgers would seemingly be able to reassimilate into McCarthy’s offense fairly easily — even if the veteran HC has made tweaks since his Green Bay years — Pittsburgh will be hosting the draft and may be in the QB market.
Ty Simpson has come up as a potential Pittsburgh option. It would make sense for the Steelers to strongly consider Simpson at No. 21, seeing as they have not finished below .500 since 2003 and annually lack access to drafts’ top QB prospects, but multiple reports have pointed to the team being more likely to avoid that path. The Steelers passed on Jaxson Dart last year, something the Giants expected when they did not trade in front of them. It was viewed as likely by that point Rodgers would join the then-Mike Tomlin-led team. Tomlin’s presence drove Rodgers to Pittsburgh, and while Rooney expected the HC’s exit to impact the QB’s future with the team, McCarthy being tabbed as the successor pried the door back open.
Kirk Cousins loomed as a possible backup option last year, though the Falcons ended up keeping him out of trades (as they wanted an acquiring team to pick up a large chunk of his 2025 compensation), and Schefter adds the veteran also loomed as the Steelers’ likely fallback option behind Rodgers this offseason. As the Steelers have waited out Rodgers once again, Cousins signed with the Raiders.
Jimmy Garoppolo remains unsigned, as does 2024 Steeler starter Russell Wilson (who hoped to re-sign in 2025 but did not draw much Steelers interest). Beyond that duo, the free agent market consists of backup or third-string options following Cousins’ Las Vegas commitment.
The Steelers will continue to develop 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, and Mason Rudolph has one year remaining on his contract. Based on reporting to date, it would surprise if Rodgers did not reprise his role as Pittsburgh’s starter. Still, the former Packers and Jets starter has gone from being “90% retired” as of winter 2023 to potentially playing four more seasons. That might be a stretch, injecting more risk into the Steelers’ strategy.
The Steelers have their eggs in this basket once again. While that provides a decent indication Rodgers will return, the team passing on Simpson and then seeing a Rodgers retirement commence will create a potentially embarrassing situation.
Poll: Who Will Draft Jeremiyah Love?
NFL teams do not consider running back a premium position, which is why it takes a supreme talent for someone to spend prime draft capital on it. Over the past decade of drafts, Ashton Jeanty, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott are the only running backs who have exited the board in the top 10. There are some years (most recently 2022 and ’24) in which the first round passes without anyone adding a back, but that will not be the case in the upcoming draft.
As arguably the preeminent prospect available at any position in the 2026 class, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is poised to become the latest back to hear his name called in the first 10 picks. Seven teams in that range – the Jets (No. 2), Cardinals (third), Titans (fourth), Giants (fifth), Commanders (seventh), Saints (eighth) and Bengals (10th) – have been connected to Love in the lead-up to the draft. Some of those clubs look like more realistic landing spots for Love than others, especially considering he is not expected to last past Washington’s pick.
Possessing blazing 4.36 speed, the 6-foot, 212-pound Love is heading to the pros on the heels of a brilliant couple of years with the Fighting Irish. Love averaged an eye-popping 6.9 yards per carry on 433 attempts, scored 35 rushing touchdowns and did not lose a fumble in 41 games at Notre Dame. Also a gifted receiver, Love combined for 55 catches and five more scores over the past two years. He earned the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the nation’s best back, last season.
With nine days left until Love finds out his NFL destination, let’s run down the teams in line to pick in the top 10. We can start by ruling out the Raiders, who selected Jeanty at No. 6 in 2025 and will take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall this year.
While the Jets recently had breakfast with Love, one of their key moves earlier in the offseason was to keep Breece Hall around via the franchise tag. General manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn have made their affinity for Hall known, pointing to a potential contract extension by the July 15 deadline. Not only that, but with defenders like David Bailey and Arvell Reese in contention for No. 2 overall, it would be a shock to see the Jets ignore that side of the ball.
The Cardinals had the second-worst running game in the league during an injury-plagued 2025 for James Conner and 2024 third-rounder Trey Benson. Those two are due back next season, and the Cardinals reeled in former Falcon Tyler Allgeier on a two-year, $12.25MM agreement in free agency. None of those players are game-changers, which leaves room for Love. But that would be a luxury pick for an Arizona team that has obvious weaknesses at right tackle and edge defender.
The Browns are in dire need of blue-chip offensive talent. However, having used a second-rounder on Quinshon Judkins last year, they seem more likely to address their receiving corps than their backfield if they go offense with their top choice.
If the Saints release or trade the soon-to-be 31-year-old Alvin Kamara, it would create a vacancy on their depth chart. However, grabbing Love just weeks after inking ex-Jaguar Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52MM pact in free agency would be a surprise. The Chiefs (No. 9) also made a sizable investment at the position during the first wave of free agency. Having signed former Seahawks Super Bowl LX MVP winner Kenneth Walker to a three-year, $43.05MM deal, they figure to use their initial pick on another position.
In the improbable event Love falls to the Bengals, maybe they will eschew glaring defensive needs to add another potential offensive superstar to a long-term core of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Although the Bengals already have a quality dual-threat back in Chase Brown, he is not under contract past next season. There have been extension talks, but any chance of a multiyear deal will fly out the window if the Bengals choose Love.
Of the clubs in the top 10, the Titans, Giants and Commanders may be the best fits for Love. If it is the Titans or Giants, he would become the first RB to go in the top five since the latter took Barkley second overall in 2018. Eight years later, with no star-caliber back on the Giants’ roster, perhaps the new John Harbaugh regime will go with Love. The team “might just run that card up” if he is available, Connor Hughes of SNY says.
Titans running back Tony Pollard posted his fourth straight 1,000-yard season in 2025, but he will turn 29 at the end of April. Pollard also has just one year left on his contract. Unlike Love, Pollard has no chance to serve as a long-term sidekick for quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft.
As a seventh-round rookie last season, the Commanders’ Jacory Croskey-Merritt vastly exceeded expectations in rushing for 875 yards on 175 carries (4.6 YPC). The man known as “Bill” also found the end zone eight times. Croskey-Merritt’s success is an argument that a team does not have to pour major resources into the position to find a viable solution. Washington has also been active in the backfield in free agency, having signed Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols. The Commanders don’t need another RB, yet they are lacking elite-caliber weapons for third-year QB Jayden Daniels. If Love is sitting there at No. 7 and general manager Adam Peters likes him better than whichever receivers or defenders are on the board, perhaps he will take the plunge.
How do you expect the draft to play out for Love? Will one of the above teams or a dark horse end up with Love on April 23? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
Who will draft Jeremiyah Love?
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Giants, Dexter Lawrence At ‘Impasse’
The Giants have been in contract talks with disgruntled defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, but those discussions have not been productive. The sides are at an “impasse,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. With the Giants continuing to discuss Lawrence in trades, a resolution is expected before the draft, per Rapoport.
Speaking with the media on Tuesday, general manager Joe Schoen indicated the Giants had not set a draft deadline to settle Lawrence’s future. It appears an answer will come by then, though. The Giants, who already own the fifth pick in the draft, are expected to get a first-rounder back if a Lawrence trade occurs, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. This is not considered a strong draft class for defensive tackles, which should boost Lawrence’s value across the league, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN notes.
As the 17th overall pick in 2019, Lawrence joined the Giants a few years before Schoen took over as their GM. Schoen, then in his second offseason on the job, authorized a four-year, $90MM extension for Lawrence in May 2023. The pact included $60MM in guarantees and made the two-time second-team All-Pro one of the richest defensive tackles in the NFL. Three years later, Lawrence ranks seventh among DTs in guarantees, 11th in total value and 13th in average salary.
Now unhappy with where he stands in the financial pecking order at his position, the 28-year-old Lawrence requested a trade last week. He is still signed through 2027 and due to count just under $27MM against the cap in each of the next two years.. Lawrence is owed a non-guaranteed $18.5MM base salary next season, but an acquiring team would have to give him a raise.
The Chargers are considered one “logical” fit, a source told Tyler Dragon of USA Today. That would mean a major trade between new Giants head coach John Harbaugh and Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh. The Harbaugh brothers most recently came together on a trade when the Ravens, then coached by John, sent edge defender Odafe Oweh to the Chargers for safety Alohi Gilman last October. The Chargers now have the third-most cap space in the league ($48.68MM), giving them ample room to pay Lawrence if they are interested in swinging a deal.
Even though John Harbaugh called Lawrence “super, super important” to the Giants’ defense in late February, the team has not been willing to meet the 6-foot-4, 340-pounder’s demands. Harbaugh and first-year senior VP of football ops and strategy Dawn Aponte have wrested power away from Schoen this offseason. All three have engaged in talks with Lawrence, but unless there is a 180 in negotiations over the next week-plus, it appears the four-time Pro Bowler will be on his way out soon.
‘All Signs’ Point To Jets Waiting Until 2027 Draft On QB
Our latest Trade Rumors Front Office piece covered teams’ patterns with regard to taking quarterbacks high in consecutive drafts. For the most part, there is next to no history of this happening in the modern era. The few examples that do exist of teams taking either a first- or second-round QB one year and then doing so again in the following draft involved the No. 1 overall pick falling to a team.
That raises the stakes for teams on Ty Simpson, a polarizing prospect whose draft landing spot has been perhaps the most intriguing component of this year’s draft (since Fernando Mendoza is all but certain to be chosen first overall). If there were a team positioned to both draft Simpson and then consider doubling up at QB early in the 2027 draft, it would be the Jets. The team holds four first- and second-round picks this year and is set to carry three firsts in 2027, creating a few windows for a quarterback investment.
[RELATED: Analyzing Simpson’s Prospect Profile]
While the Jets have been linked to Simpson during this year’s pre-draft process — to the point a recent report indicated the team was likely to exit Round 2 with a passer — they appear set to take their chances with what is expected to be a much richer QB crop in 2027. As it stands, “all signs” point to Gang Green making next year its window to make its draft move at QB, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah said Tuesday (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini).
It is worth noting future draft classes have a tendency to not deliver promised goods. The 2026 class serves as a reminder. Our Ely Allen noted how long the wait could be before this year’s QB3 is chosen; at this time last year, the ’26 draft was expected to be much more fruitful at the position than it ended up being. One of the reasons the ’26 class underwhelmed: Oregon QB Dante Moore‘s decision to return to school. The Jets may well have loomed as a landing spot for Moore at No. 2 overall. Now, they will have a chance to evaluate more film on the Big Ten passer (among others) this coming fall.
A report earlier this month indicated the Jets were likely to pass on Simpson. The Jets indeed passing on the one-year Alabama starter at No. 16 (and perhaps again at No. 33) would invite risk, and after changing both offensive and defensive coordinators in his second year, Aaron Glenn is far from a lock to be back in 2027. No starter-level passer being chosen in this draft will run the risk of Glenn being fired before the franchise makes a true investment in the position.
Waiting a year also places plenty of pressure on Geno Smith, who joins a team that did not have a 400-yard receiver (thanks largely to Garrett Wilson‘s seven-game season) in 2025. Glenn has spoken highly of Smith, but the second-stint Jet will have plenty to say about whether Glenn makes it to the ’27 draft as head coach.
The organization gave its past two GMs — Joe Douglas, Mike Maccagnan — five drafts apiece. This points to Darren Mougey being given more time, and this offseason’s run of HC firings and GM retentions showed more staying power among the executive ranks. With Moore, Arch Manning and other intriguing arms expected to be part of the 2027 draft, Mougey may be more inclined to wait. The Jets do not carry high expectations into this season, which opens the door to their own pick checking in high in 2027. New York also owns Dallas and Indianapolis’ 2027 firsts, providing possible trade ammo.
Manning is not a lock to enter the 2027 draft. Neither of his high-profile uncles — Peyton and Eli — came out after junior seasons. Peyton famously passed on being the Jets’ No. 1 pick in 1997 to return to Tennessee, landing with the Colts a year later. Considering the patient approach the Manning family has taken with Arch, it would certainly not shock to see him stay at Texas for two more seasons. That would weaken the 2027 QB class, but the Jets are well positioned to be patient here due to the capital the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades provided.
We could soon see a redux of the Jets’ late-2010s strategy, when they positioned Josh McCown as a bridge in 2017 — passing on the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson to take Jamal Adams — before trading up for Sam Darnold in 2018. If Simpson is not Big Apple-bound next week, a waiting game looks likely to commence once again.
Titans Out On Rueben Bain At No. 4?
Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. is heading into the draft as a potential top-10 pick, but it does not appear the Titans are considering him at fourth overall. Bain is “not their guy,” Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network hears.
The Titans have at least done their due diligence on Bain, whom they met with in late March. For his part, Jeremiah ranks Bain as the seventh-best prospect in the draft. The 6-foot-2, 263-pounder’s stock is high after he capped off a three-year run at Miami with his most productive season in 2025. Over 16 games, Bain tallied 54 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 9.5 sacks and the lone interception of his Hurricanes career. He was named a consensus All-American for his efforts.
Despite Bain’s prolific college output and considerable upside, there have been concerns over his arm length throughout the pre-draft process. His arms measured 30 7/8 inches at the Combine, which ranks in the 1st percentile and falls well below the 33-inch average. On a much more alarming note, it came to light over the weekend that Bain was the driver in a fatal car crash in 2024. Bain was cited for careless driving after a crash left one of his car’s passengers in a coma. She passed away three months later, though the charge against Bain was later dropped. The Titans found out about it last summer, but it “didn’t really” affect their evaluation of Bain, a source told Nick Suss of the Tennessean.
While Bain may not fit what the Titans are looking for, they are reportedly considering Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with their top pick. Other possibilities include Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, and Ohio State linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Unless the team trades down, there is a high chance of one of those players becoming a member of the Titans on April 23.
Texans Targeting OL Prospects
The Texans have been active reshaping their offensive line this offseason, and they may not be done. ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime expects the team to target linemen in the draft, with the writer citing Houston’s desire for “young, cost-effective talent.”
The Texans were quick to revamp the unit after the 2025 campaign. They first moved on from longtime starter Tytus Howard and former second-rounder Juice Scruggs before adding veterans Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller to the roster. The two new additions will be penciled into the starting lineup, adding to the three holdovers from last year.
2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery will continue at LT, while 2025 newcomers center Jake Andrews and guard Ed Ingram are expected to retain their starting spots. Houston even has Trent Brown for some experienced tackle depth. However, Bien-Aime notes the team still needs some long-term solutions at both center and guard. Considering Smith’s deal is for only two years, the Texans also wouldn’t shy away from an OT prospect.
Armed with the No. 28 pick and two second-round selections (No. 38, No 59), the Texans could be in prime position to find at least one long-term option for the OL. ESPN’s Jordan Reid points to Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge as “names to circle” for Houston.
Iheanachor started each of the past two seasons on the Sun Devil offensive line, culminating in him earning a second-team All-Big 12 nod this past year. While he isn’t considered among the draft’s top offensive tackle prospects, he may be the best of the second tier. He would be a logical target for the Texans at No. 38. Similarly, Rutledge is among the second tier of guard prospects and could be an option at No. 59. The prospect earned a first-team All-American selection this past season following a standout showing with the Yellow Jackets.
Falcons Expected To Target DTs, WRs During Draft
As Ian Cunningham prepares for his first draft as Falcons general manager, he may be zeroing in on positions on both sides of the ball. As ESPN’s Jordan Reid writes, the Falcons have been connected to both defensive tackles and wide receivers.
Reid notes that the organization has done “an extensive amount of work” on defensive tackles. This isn’t a huge surprise as the Falcons ranked 24th against the run in 2025, and they lost their positional snaps leader in David Onyemata via free agency. While Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus provide the position grouping with a bit of experience, it only makes sense for the team to pursue some upside at the position during next week’s draft.
Of course, thanks to a trade with the Rams during last year’s draft that netted them James Pearce, the Falcons are currently operating without a first-round selection, meaning their first opportunity to add a DT would be at No. 48. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald and Clemson’s Peter Woods surely won’t be on the board at that point, but the organization could look to the likes of Florida’s Caleb Banks or Georgia’s Christen Miller.
While wide receiver may not be the most apparent need for the Falcons, there is some merit to adding to the position. Drake London will continue leading the group, but the team has some question marks elsewhere on the depth chart. Darnell Mooney and David Sills are no longer in the building, with the Falcons adding Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus in their place. However, neither of those additions should prevent the front office from pursuing additional reinforcements at the position, and Reid notes that the Falcons have made it known that desire a “field stretcher”.
While there’s a long list of talented WRs in this year’s draft, the Falcons will likely miss out on the top-tier at the position. Still, they could be in position to pounce on one of the second-tier wideouts, including Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell, and Alabama’s Germie Bernard. Reid also points to North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance as a potential target for the organization.