The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation is set for 2026. However, Aaron Rodgers said he plans on retiring after the season ends, so the Steelers will need a new starter for 2027. One name that’s picked up steam as a possibility recently is Baker Mayfield. While he’s currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he’ll be a free agent next offseason. Mayfield said that the two sides aren’t close on a contract extension at the moment, either. However, Bucs general manager Jason Licht threw cold water on rumors of Mayfield leaving Tampa Bay.
“We love Baker,” Licht said recently on Fan Stream Sports – Tampa Bay’s YouTube channel. “Nobody wants to see Baker go anywhere else. We’ve had some discussions and we’ll continue to have some internal discussions and try to bring this to a closure one way or another.
“But no one wants to see Baker go anywhere, and no one’s worried about how Baker’s mindset is going to be. I’ve had conversations with him about that and he’s all about wanting to win. He’s in a good place.”
Licht obviously isn’t going to come out and bury Mayfield. The quarterback will be with the Bucs for at least this season, so throwing shade at him in June isn’t a great idea. Still, it sounds like he doesn’t plan on letting Mayfield walk out the door.
Also, Licht was asked about Mayfield’s comments about his current contract situation, and again, he took the high road.
“I respect Baker. He’s free to say whatever he wants to say. That’s the way he’s wired. I have nothing but love for Baker.”
While Mayfield and the Bucs might be far apart on an extension right now, they could bridge that gap quickly. Licht seems committed to keeping Mayfield on his team.
That’s not surprising, either. Mayfield revived his career with the Bucs when he joined them in 2023. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons with them. He started off hot last year, too, but injuries took their toll on him.
Just as well, Mayfield helped the Bucs not completely fall off after Tom Brady retired. They had no succession plan after Brady walked away. They don’t have a great option to replace Mayfield if they lose him after this season, either. The rest of their current quarterback room consists of Jake Browning, Connor Bazelak, and undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels.
None of those players are quality starting quarterbacks. Even if the Bucs can’t ink Mayfield to an extension before next offseason, they can always franchise tag him. Licht isn’t going to just let him walk away. Steelers fans might want to pump the brakes on their dreams of Mayfield in Black and Gold.