Buccaneers risk repeating Washington's costly Kirk Cousins mistake with Baker Mayfield

The franchise tag would buy Tampa Bay another year

Tampa Bay would have three choices after the season. It could give Mayfield the contract he wants, let him reach free agency or use the franchise tag to keep him for 2027.

Mayfield has reportedly said he would play on the franchise tag. With the quarterback figure expected to land somewhere around $50 million, accepting it wouldn't exactly be a great personal sacrifice.

That does not make it a good long-term solution.

Mayfield said he felt “disrespected” and “undervalued” by the Buccaneers during negotiations. Imagine how he would feel after playing well in 2026, only to receive another one-year deal.

He would take the money. Most people would.

He might also start planning his exit.

Kirk Cousins showed how this can end

Washington used the franchise tag on Kirk Cousins in 2016. The team did it again in 2017 after the two sides failed to agree on a new contract.

Cousins earned nearly $44 million fully guaranteed over those two seasons. Washington kept its quarterback, but each tag sent the same message: We trust you for another year. Anything beyond that? Let’s not get carried away.

Eventually, Cousins had enough.

When he finally reached free agency in 2018, he left Washington and signed a three-year, $84 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The entire deal was guaranteed.

Washington had spent two years delaying a decision. By the time it was ready to make one, Cousins was ready to leave.

The situations are not identical. Mayfield already received a multiyear contract from Tampa Bay, while Cousins never got that commitment from Washington after becoming the starter. Mayfield has also spoken often about how much he enjoys playing for the Buccaneers.

That relationship is real, but it is not indestructible.

One tag could lead to another

Again, none of this means Tampa Bay will tag Mayfield next offseason. The Buccaneers may sign him before that becomes necessary. His performance in 2026 will determine how much leverage either side carries into the next round of talks.

The problem begins if Tampa Bay decides the tag is easier than reaching an agreement.

Mayfield has not threatened to leave. Tampa Bay has not threatened to tag him. This is a very possible outcome, not an approaching deadline.

Still, the Cousins story gives the Buccaneers a warning worth remembering.

If Mayfield has a big season, one franchise tag might keep him in Tampa Bay for another year. Using it would not answer the larger question. It would merely shove it into the following offseason, when Mayfield would be more expensive and possibly less interested in staying.

According to Mayfield, the Buccaneers have said that he is their franchise quarterback. If he proves it again in 2026, they may need to stop saying it and finally pay him like one.