ESPN analyst Ben Solak didn’t hold back, flat out saying he thinks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might already be regretting Baker Mayfield’s massive three-year, $165 million contract extension. That’s a huge statement just two games into the 2026 season, especially after Mayfield made his unhappiness about not having a new deal super clear before the season even kicked off. The Bucs had just paid Vita Vea, and then they dropped a ton of cash on their quarterback shortly before the season, but Solak is convinced it was a big mistake.
Two Games, Two Losses, and a Whole Lotta Questions
You just can’t gloss over an 0-2 start, no matter who you are, and for the Buccaneers, it’s gotta sting. They kicked off the season with a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and then took another L in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns! That’s not a good look, not at all, and it puts Mayfield’s new deal under an intense spotlight right from the jump. Solak writes that “Mayfield has not played well through the first two games of the season,” and the numbers back him up big time. He’s thrown for only 398 yards, just one touchdown, and one interception. His QBR? A brutal 45.4, which puts him all the way down at 27th in the entire NFL. Twenty-seventh! That’s not the kind of production you expect from a guy who just got a $165 million payday.
The Timing of That Deal? Yikes.
Here’s where Solak’s argument really hits hard: it’s not just about the *amount* of the deal, but the *timing*. He believes the Buccaneers botched this by signing Mayfield *before* the 2026 season started. What were they thinking? Solak points out that if they had just waited until after the season to see how Mayfield actually played, it likely wouldn’t have cost them much more, even if he balled out. A deal in the $60 million range per-year over three years might sound like a lot, but it would be totally worth it if Mayfield delivered a strong 2026 campaign. But if he struggled, like he has done so far, then they could have gotten him for something closer to $50 million per-year. It’s a gamble that seems to be blowing up in their face, already leaving the Buccaneers with major regret.
Look, it’s only two games, and Solak even admits it’s not a total failure *yet*. But man, the signs are not good when an analyst is talking about buyer’s remorse for a $165 million deal this early. The Buccaneers need Mayfield to turn this around, and fast. Every game from here on out is a chance to prove that mega-deal wasn’t just a giant, early mistake that could haunt them for years.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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