Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said Friday he is 'very optimistic' about quarterback Baker Mayfield playing in Tampa beyond the 2026 season despite Mayfield feeling 'disrespected' by the team's initial offer. Licht made the comments during the WFLA broadcast of the Bucs' third preseason game at the Jacksonville Jaguars. 'He wants to play. He wants to prove to us that he is the franchise quarterback that we said that he was,' Licht said. 'We'll just have to see how it plays out.' The Bucs offered Mayfield a two-year extension, but the two sides could not reach an agreement before the training camp deadline.

Mayfield said he would not continue negotiating until after the season to focus on football. Licht also confirmed the team is open to using the franchise tag on Mayfield, an option both parties have discussed. Meanwhile, Licht expressed confidence that wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jalen Mc Millan will be ready for the start of the regular season despite recent injuries. 'We're pretty sure that we're going to have them back Week 1, and everything's trending that way,' Licht said.

The injuries have the team being cautious and smart in preseason play.