By The clock is ticking on the time frame for the Buccaneers to get a new deal done with Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is entering the final season of a 3-year $100 million contract and wants to ink a new contract with the Buccaneers.
“First and foremost, regardless, we’ve built roots here in Tampa. We love the community; we love being here,” Mayfield said. “They’ve embraced us, and we enjoy being here.”
Mayfield added, “I would love to be here long-term, and as of now, that’s not exactly the case. But I’m under contract for 2026, and I’m still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl, and to me, that’s the priority. Everything else can take care of itself.”
Mayfield has set a deadline of the start of training camp to hammer out a new contract and says the numbers are not even close to what he is expecting.
“First and foremost, regardless, we’ve built roots here in Tampa. We love the community; we love being here. They’ve embraced us, and we enjoy being here. Mayfield said. “But contract stuff, it’s happening, it’s starting the talks and whatnot, but not anywhere close to what we were thinking.”
Mayfield will earn Dak Prescott money, $50-$60 million a year, in his next contract. Is he worth it? Should the Buccaneers give him that type of contract?
Baker Mayfield has gone from bridge quarterback to franchise quarterback in just a few seasons. After arriving in Tampa following the retirement of Tom Brady, Mayfield revived his career and helped keep the Buccaneers competitive in the NFC South.
The big question is whether Tampa Bay should commit long-term money to keep him in Tampa long-term.
Since joining Tampa Bay, Mayfield has played the best football of his NFL career. He threw for more than 4,500 yards and over 40 touchdowns during his breakout Buccaneers campaign while leading Tampa Bay back to the playoffs.
He has shown command of the offense, toughness, leadership, and an ability to elevate the players around him, all while working with a different offensive coordinator each season.
Quarterback stability is incredibly difficult to find.
Teams spend years searching for competent starters, and many organizations never find one.
The Buccaneers lived through that reality for decades before Brady arrived. Before Brady, Tampa cycled through quarterbacks every 2-3 years: Josh Freeman, Mike Glennon, Josh McGowan, Jameis Winston, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Since Brady retired, Mayfield has stabilized the most important position in sports.
Another major factor in retaining Mayfield is his leadership.
Teammates love Mayfield’s energy and competitiveness. Buccaneers ownership and front-office executives have praised his toughness and locker-room presence. He plays with emotion, accountability, and confidence — traits that fit Tampa Bay’s culture. He has embraced the city and the fanbase, and the city, in turn, has embraced Mayfield.
A few years ago, paying a quarterback $40 million annually sounded outrageous. Now it is standard for quality starters. If Tampa Bay waits too long, Mayfield’s price may only increase. Extending Mayfield now could save the Buccaneers money later on.
There is also no developmental quarterback waiting in the wings. The Buccaneers are built to win now. They still have elite talent, including Chris Godwin, Emeka Ebuka Tez Johnson, Bucky Irving, and Tristan Wirfs.
Moving on from Mayfield would likely mean either drafting an unproven rookie or entering the risky veteran quarterback market again.
The concerns are real, too.
First, Mayfield can still be inconsistent at times. Even during productive stretches, he has occasionally forced throws into coverage and turned the ball over too often. His aggressive mentality is part of what makes him dangerous, but it can also hurt the team in critical moments.
The biggest question for a Mayfield extension is whether he can truly carry a team to a Super Bowl title. Or is he a very good quarterback who needs everything around him operating at a high level to be successful? That matters when discussing contracts approaching $50 million annually.
If Tampa Bay pays Mayfield elite-quarterback money, the expectations immediately change, and the expectation will be Super Bowl or bust.
Once quarterbacks receive top-tier contracts, they are expected to consistently overcome injuries, roster holes, and difficult playoff situations. Some folks question whether Mayfield belongs in that upper echelon.
Mayfield’s style of play must also be a factor in a new contract. Mayfield plays recklessly at times, absorbing hits while scrambling and extending plays. While his toughness is admirable, it also creates risk. Tampa Bay must decide whether his physical style will age well into his mid-30s.
There are also salary cap issues to consider. The Buccaneers already have major financial commitments throughout the roster, including Tristan Wirfs, Chris Godwin, and Antoine Winfield Jr. Mayfield’s cap numbers are significant, and another extension would likely increase those long-term obligations.
When quarterbacks like Mayfield consume a ton of salary cap space, roster depth can suffer. The Buccaneers have remained competitive because they have a good balance of veteran talent and leadership on both sides of the ball. A huge extension could make it more difficult to retain key players in the future.
Mayfield may never be considered the absolute best quarterback in football, but he has become valuable: a reliable, respected, productive franchise quarterback.
Those are hard to find, and once teams have one, they usually do everything possible to keep him.
