NFL analyst criticizes Buccaneers GM for paying Baker Mayfield over rival QB

During a recent edition of the "Around the NFL" podcast, NFL Media analyst Dan Hanzus suggested that Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht should've attempted to pursue quarterback Kirk Cousins instead of paying Baker Mayfield this offseason. 

"If you are willing to go that high for Baker, salary-wise, why not rework a couple of more deals and make a real play for Kirk? And then you don’t, and then he ends up in your own division, and then he goes to the team that has the best roster to contend in that division," Hanzus said about the situation, per the JoeBucsFan website. 

There's plenty to unpack here. 

Ahead of the start of the NFL's legal tampering portion of free agency, Mayfield agreed to a three-year deal that reportedly has a maximum value of $115M with $30M guaranteed in 2024 and $30M (with $20M guaranteed) in 2025 to remain with the Buccaneers. It's believed Tampa Bay could escape that contract as soon as next offseason. 

To compare, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on March 11 that Cousins received a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M guaranteed to make the move from the Minnesota Vikings to the Atlanta Falcons. 

Such figures tell only part of the story. Even before news about Cousins' contract broke, some hinted that the Falcons ignored NFL tampering rules regarding when teams can speak with pending free agents. It was subsequently revealed on March 14 that the league was "looking into potential tampering by" the Falcons. 

Cousins possibly was looking at homes and schools in the Atlanta area before he was permitted to have contact with the Falcons. His wife grew up in Alpharetta, which is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. 

In short, some would conclude that Cousins never would've been an option for the Buccaneers or any club other than the Falcons.  

As for Mayfield's relationship with the Buccaneers, Licht and others within the organization have left little doubt about how popular he is among Tampa Bay players and coaches after he guided the team to the NFC South division title and a playoff victory this past season. Meanwhile, the 2023 Falcons finished at 7-10.

Mayfield mentioned that "it’s always fun to listen to the opinions" of people essentially saying that the Falcons are the uncrowned division champions for the 2024 campaign. Hanzus may have accidentally given some bulletin board material to individuals who have a history of keeping receipts.