Jon Gruden suggests Baker Mayfield and Buccaneers are close to contract deal

Jon Gruden has suggested that contract negotiations between Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are progressing, stating that the two parties are ‘not very far away’ from reaching a deal. Mayfield is set to become a free agent after the current season, and while previous discussions regarding contract length and compensation reportedly met resistance, Gruden expressed confidence in the leadership of Jason Licht and the Glazer family to finalize an agreement.

In addition to his commentary on the contract situation, Gruden recently returned to an NFL broadcast booth, calling a Buccaneers preseason game against the Chiefs for WFLA-TV. This marks his first time calling an NFL game since 2018. His return to broadcasting comes as he continues to navigate ongoing legal proceedings involving a lawsuit against the NFL in Nevada.