The Buccaneers locked in Baker Mayfield on a three-year, $165 million extension, and the deal apparently came together after a brief stall in negotiations. Jenna Laine reported that Mayfield and Tampa Bay had stopped talking after the team put a two-year, $100 million offer on the table, but her sources say the sides picked things back up over the weekend.
That agreement drew a strong endorsement from Buccaneers GM Jason Licht, who made it clear how the organization views Mayfield’s place in the building. “From the moment Baker arrived, he brought a belief and competitive edge that has had a tremendous impact on our football team.
He has earned the respect of everyone in our building with the way he prepares, competes and holds himself accountable. His toughness and ability to deliver in big moments are a big part of what makes him special, but what really stands out is the leadership he brings every day.
Baker is the heartbeat of this team, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have a quarterback and leader like him.”
In Atlanta, Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski gave an encouraging update on CB Billy Bowman Jr., who is working back from an Achilles injury. Stefanski said Bowman is “getting close” and didn’t shut the door on him being available for Week 1.
“He’s feeling really good. He’s getting close.
We will bring him along this week and see where he can get to.”
The Panthers, meanwhile, are making a notable shift on offense. Brad Idzik will take over play-calling duties in 2026 after not handling that role during his first two seasons as offensive coordinator under HC Dave Canales. Canales said Idzik comes from a football family, with both his father and grandfather having worked in NFL front offices, and said that background shows in the way he carries himself.
“You could feel there was a sense of legacy with him. You could feel there’s a lot of passion with him and he’s shown that,” Canales said, via Joseph Person of The Athletic.
“I can confidently say Brad Idzik is the hardest worker on our staff. I can also say he’s the most conditioned and in shape coach on our staff as well.
I’ve been chasing him for 10 years now, trying to keep up with that guy.”
Canales also pointed to Idzik’s commitment to the job and the players as the reason for handing him the responsibility. “It’s his work ethic. It’s how much he cares about the players, how much he cares about being excellent that gave me the confidence to give him this opportunity.”
In Other News...
Panthers Secondary Could Get Even Scarier With This Early Projection
A 2027 NFL mock draft has the Panthers looking to add another major piece to a defense that already has a chance to become a real strength. Bleacher Reports scouting department projected Carolina taking Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore at No. 7 overall, a pick that would fit the idea of continuing to build on the back end with a player praised for his technique, size and football IQ.
Moore is the kind of prospect who could make sense if Carolina wants to keep stacking talent in the secondary and stay ahead of future roster decisions. It is still far too early to treat any projection as more than a snapshot of what evaluators think now, but it does underline how much attention the Panthers defensive potential is already drawing. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathon Brooks Just Put Carolina's Week 1 Backfield Into Focus
Jonathon Brooks took a noticeable step forward this week by getting on the field in uniform and pads as the Panthers continued working toward the 2026 season. It was the clearest sign yet that the running back is moving along in his recovery from the torn ACL that wiped out his entire 2025 campaign, and it gives Carolina another layer to monitor as Week 1 approaches.
Dave Canales has kept the message measured, saying the team is handling Brooks return one day at a time and will sort out his status closer to the opener. If the comeback keeps trending the right way, the Panthers could be looking at a backfield that features Brooks alongside Chuba Hubbard, which would give Carolina a more flexible mix than it had last year. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Sweat Could Become A Cardinals Pivot Point Fast
With the trade deadline approaching, the Bears search for another edge rusher is already drawing attention, and Josh Sweat has surfaced as one of the more intriguing names to watch. The Cardinals linebacker has the kind of front-seven presence that can change the look of a defense quickly, which is why a possible deal involving a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick has entered the conversation.
For now, Arizona is said to have no interest in moving Sweat, but the door does not have to stay shut if the teams competitive outlook shifts. That uncertainty is what makes him such a potential pivot point, because a player viewed as part of the Cardinals present can become a trade chip in a hurry if the season starts pointing in a different direction. [Read more 🡒]