TAMPA, Fla. — As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened training camp Wednesday, quarterback Baker Mayfield made one thing clear: contract negotiations are over, and his full attention is on chasing another division title.

Despite failing to reach a contract extension before the team’s self-imposed deadline, Mayfield struck a confident tone as he addressed reporters, expressing excitement about the 2026 season and the direction of a team he believes is built to contend.

“I’m excited,” Mayfield said. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, in a really good place and feeling really confident with the staff that Todd’s put together. We’re going to have a really, really good team.”

The optimism is backed up by production.

Over the past three seasons, Mayfield has quietly established himself among the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks. 

Baker Mayfield is a top five quarterback based on production

His 12,237 passing yards rank third in the league during that span, while his 95 touchdown passes are second only to one quarterback. 

More importantly for Tampa Bay, he has helped guide the Buccaneers to two NFC South championships and returned stability to the franchise following the Tom Brady era.

That success, however, did not lead to a new contract before training camp.

Mayfield acknowledged his disappointment that negotiations ended without an extension but emphasized that the situation will not become a distraction for the locker room.

“I think I’m a franchise quarterback,” Mayfield said. 

“I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here, so to not have a deal done is very disappointing.

“But I said the deadline is the deadline. I addressed the team to let them know. It’s all ball. I’m with these guys. It’s all about winning here now and what we’re going to do.”

Baker Mayfield betting on himself

Instead of allowing contract talks to linger throughout the season, Mayfield has once again chosen a familiar path, betting on himself.

It’s a mentality that has followed him throughout his NFL career, from being overlooked entering the draft to reviving his career in Tampa Bay. Now, with another opportunity to prove his value, Mayfield is embracing the challenge rather than dwelling on what didn’t happen.

“Money should never be the motivation in football,” Mayfield said. “It’s how do I help this team win. It’s never going to be the motivation for me. When it comes to having a chip on your shoulder and all that, for me, it just puts me in the mindset of betting on myself, and that’s something I’m pretty familiar with.”

Helping fuel Mayfield’s confidence is the arrival of new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.

After several successful seasons under Liam Coen and Dave Canales, Robinson inherits one of the league’s most productive offenses and a quarterback coming off the best stretch of his career. 

Mayfield said Robinson’s offensive vision energizes him and believes the continuity on offense will allow the Buccaneers to remain among the NFL’s elite units despite the coaching change.

With head coach Todd Bowles overseeing a veteran roster that expects to compete for another NFC South title, Mayfield believes the pieces are in place for Tampa Bay to take another step forward.

For now, contract negotiations are in the background.

The focus is squarely on football.

If Mayfield delivers another season like the previous three, the Buccaneers may have little choice but to reward the quarterback they have repeatedly called their franchise leader. Until then, the 31-year-old will do what he has done throughout his career: bet on himself and try to lead Tampa Bay back into the postseason.