Baker Mayfield's new deal came together in about 48 hours — and he found out while he was at the movies with his kids.
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick go behind the scenes of how the Bucs and Baker Mayfield actually got the extension done: a Monday-night dinner text, a Tuesday call during a family trip to see Cars, and a deal that landed him in a three-way tie for third among NFL quarterbacks in average annual salary. They explain why there was never real animosity between Baker and GM Jason Light despite the \"disrespectful\" comments, why the Bucs' patience (the same approach that got Vita Vea signed) paid off, and why Baker's entire starting offensive line showed up to his press conference (Ben Bredesen's verdict: \"phenomenal leader, phenomenal teammate\"). They also use the NFL's chaotic opening night — Sam Darnold going down early for Seattle — to explain exactly what's riding on Tampa Bay's quarterback depth chart if Baker ever goes down behind him.
Then it's over to the Rays, winners again in Atlanta (7-2) behind a dominant Griffin Jax outing, holding their four-game lead over the Yankees with the magic number down to 14. Rick and Steve break down why the Rays' remaining schedule is brutal compared to New York's, then dig into a mailbag question on why Chandler Simpson — hitting .300-plus with 41 steals against just 46 strikeouts, on a homecoming week in his native Atlanta — isn't getting more MVP buzz next to teammate Junior Caminero. Plus: the NFL's wild Wednesday-night opener (Drake Maye's three picks, Drew Lock's relief heroics), remembering former Lightning coach Barry Melrose, and why you should circle October 8th on your calendar for a potential four-sport Tampa Bay night.
In this episode:
Send your mailbag questions to @SportsDayTB on X or email rstroud@tampabay.com. And get on down to Breitling Boutique at International Plaza — mention Sports Day Tampa Bay when you go.
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