The business side of the NFL is as tough as it gets and that’s been the exact case with Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when it comes to his contract negotiations.

Mayfield discussed the situation with reporters after Thursday’s training camp practice and it’s absolutely safe to say he pulled zero punches.

“I really know what I’ve brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and even play-wise,” said Mayfield. “It’s been some of the best years of of my career, and I think it’s only going to trend upwards, just being comfortable and feeling that. So [it’s] disappointing in that regard to feel disrespected a little bit, and that’s really the disappointing part – to feel undervalued after, you know, thinking you’ve earned it…

” … I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. … It’s disappointing to say the least, but it’s all ball here, and I know I’m going to have a good year.”

Baker Mayfield then sent a warning shot to the Buccaneers in order to make it 100% clear what’s to come regarding future contract talks if he has a good year.

“If you’ve waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that’s too bad because it’s only going to get worse from here. I’m going to have a really good year. That’s the business side of it.”

Whew. But hey, this is the risk we all know the Buccaneers are taking by handling Mayfield’s contract in this light.

Baker Mayfield also points out other issues with how Buccaneers handle contract negotiations

Mayfield understands the business side of things, but it didn’t stop him from pointing out how long it took a guy like Tristan Wirfs to get paid. Wirfs had to hold-in, like Vita Vea, before receiving his new deal and Mayfield was quick to point out the fallacy behind that strategy.

“I sat here and watched these guys go through it, even Tristan,” said Mayfield. “And so, talk about the best best tackle in the league. (He’s the) only person in NFL history that’s been an All-Pro at right and left [tackle]. [He] had to have to have a hold-in in training camp to get it done. So disappointing. You hope they take care of their guys.”

We can go back and forth all day about NFL teams and how they handle contract negotiations, but Mayfield makes an objectively good point. When it makes sense, NFL teams should pay their best players – and pay them what they’re worth. Plain and simple.

Baker Mayfield doesn’t believe the Buccaneers contract strategies will hurt the locker room

It’s fair to wonder if other players feel vicariously spurned by the way the Bucs do business. I mean, will the front office go down a tough road with them whenever it’s time for their new deal?

“Not at all,” said Mayfield. “I think that’s an easy scapegoat for the outside media to look at. But to be honest with you, inside the locker room, all that does is bring us closer together. It’s the downstairs aspect of our building is really really special, and our guys know that and they cherish that. So it’s only bringing our guys together.”

That’s good to hear, because even if Mayfield deemed the thought a scapegoat for the media, it does hold some weight. Not every locker room is the same. However, it’s good to hear that’s not the case for the Buccaneers.

Mayfield vouches for Vita Vea’s new deal

Mayfield didn’t stop at pointing out his qualms with both his and Wirfs’ negotiations. He also lobbied for Vea to get the deal he seeks, as well.

“And you know, hopefully Vita gets his back fixed and gets his his deal done. I mean, he’s the second-longest tenured Buc behind ‘CG’ (Chris Godwin) and Vita deserves that. He’s the anchor of our defense, and so I hope they take care of him. It’s disappointing to say the least.”

Mayfield also made it clear how much he and his family love living in Tampa Bay and that his agent would entertain talks if they made sense and were an approachable offer from their side of things. He really does want to play for the Buccaneers, but it has to be under the right contract, because he knows his value.

So, it sounds like things are heading toward offseason discussions and at that point, we could be looking at entirely different ballgame based on how Mayfield’s season ends up.

Get ready for it to be a talking point all season long. But hey, that’s just how this stuff goes.