NFL Network: Baker Mayfield “At The Top Of The List” – JoeBucsFan.com – Tampa Bay Bucs Blog, Buccaneers News

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.

Joe is glad to see the Bucs are prioritizing the most important position on the field in free agency.

The free agency bell rings today at noon. That’s when all teams can start negotiating with other teams’ pending free agents. Deals may be agreed to immediately and then made official on Wednesday afternoon when the new league fiscal year begins.

Word broke yesterday that the Bucs will be chasing 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick quarterback Baker Mayfield in free agency. The Bucs didn’t back off the chatter. In fact, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, who has league-sponsored pipeline to the Bucs, was on the air this morning saying the Bucs’ priority in free agency is Mayfield — no Jamel Dean or Lavonte David, but Mayfield.

Rapoport reiterated that the Bucs’ won’t (and can’t) be a big spender in free agency “but “it does seem, according to sources, Baker Mayfield is at the top of the list.”

Joe will add that contract incentives given to Mayfield, if earned, count against the 2021 salary cap. So, for example, the Bucs could pay Mayfield $8 million in salary and add another $12 million in incentives. He could get something like $500,000 for every game he starts (if he wins the starting job) plus money for making the playoffs, winning a playoff game and making a Pro Bowl.

Joe already can hear fans saying ‘$8 million for Mayfield’? Well, he proved last year in Los Angeles he can be a quality backup, and that’s at least what those guys earn when they’re not old and have a pedigree.

From @GMFB: Baker Mayfield and the #Bucs appear to be a good match. pic.twitter.com/IylvYu2gWO