Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield

Sunday, March 16, 7:14 PM

The Seattle Seahawks recently signed free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. According to Mike Florio, the Seahawks are Darnold are able to part ways after the 2025 season, assuming they want to. Darnold will receive $37.5 million, fully guaranteed for the upcoming season. After that, Darnold's salary will move to $27.5 million, but the Seahawks can opt-out after Super Bowl LX. This allows the Seahawks to escape the deal after one season. The organization is hopeful that Darnold can be an upgrade over Geno Smith, who they traded to the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this offseason. The Seahawks have made some major changes this offseason, including cutting Tyler Lockett, trading DK Metcalf, and signing wide receiver Cooper Kupp. We'll see what happens this upcoming season, but it appears the Seahawks can opt out of the deal if this experiment doesn't go well.

Thursday, April 3, 7:26 PM

Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reworked quarterback Baker Mayfield's contract to free up cap space. The Bucs converted Mayfield's $30 million base salary to a roster bonus, freeing up nearly $15 million. The team also added a void year for proration purposes in 2029. Tampa Bay has been resourceful this offseason, moving money around for Mayfield in addition to offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. All in all, the Buccos saved $50.12 million over the next few seasons. It seems unlikely that the money moves are in anticipation of signing a big-ticket asset and more so for down the road. Mayfield is entering his third season with the squad and will look to build off his spectacular 2024.