Baker Mayfield puts a strict timeline on his ongoing contract negotiations with the Buccaneers and it’s the perfect strategy
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers are clearly happy with one another, but the two sides have yet to come to an agreement on a contract extension. Mayfield is keeping his priorities straight, in the meantime.
Baker Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So naturally, the two sides are trying to come to some kind of agreement that makes sense for everyone involved.
Unfortunately, things aren’t progressing like Mayfield and the Buccaneers are hoping, so far. The nine-year quarterback mentioned as much when he spoke with reporters on Friday.
“Contract stuff, it’s starting, the talks and whatnot,” said Mayfield via ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “But we’re not anywhere close to what we were thinking. So, I’d love to be here long-term, and as of right now that’s not exactly the case. But I’m under contract for 2026 and the guys in tat locker room and staff know I’m still going to be me. 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 will take care of itself.
“Obviously, yes, I’d love to have a long-term deal done. They know my deadline is as soon as training camp stuff starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff. It’s all ball. … Hopefully before that, but if not, we’ll still have a good year.”
What could Baker Mayfield’s new deal look like?
Mayfield’s previous contract was a three-year, $100 million deal that contained $40 million in fully guaranteed money. It was a smart deal that has worked out well for both sides, with Mayfield entering a 2026 season that could be his best, yet.
Expect Mayfield’s market to increase exponentially if he his best season with the Buccaneers. It wouldn’t be crazy to think he’ll get as much as $50 million per year if he were to finish the season within the top-5 to 10 quarterbacks.
That’s because Mayfield’s play has already been up there in the upper-echelon of quarterbacks and don’t forget, he was an MVP candidate after the first six weeks of last season. A stellar year would put the cherry on top of three (four in this hypothetical) very successful seasons.
Baker Mayfield’s stats from 2023-2025
Mayfield joined the Buccaneers in 2023 and immediately proved he was their guy moving forward. Below are his numbers and where he ranks among 33 qualifying quarterbacks with at least 668 passing attempts, per Stathead:
- Passing touchdowns: 95 (2nd)
- Completion rate: 66.3% (14th)
- Passing yards: 12,237 (3rd)
- Interceptions: 37 (2nd-most)
- QB rating: 97.4 (13th)
- Game-winning drives: 8 (t-10th)
- ANY/A: 6.6 (t-11th)
In terms of APY, the top-10 quarterbacks already make more than $50 million per year, each. As you can see above, Mayfield’s numbers are either top-10 or not far off, so why wouldn’t he match that amount with a Pro Bowl-caliber season?
He’s also in line for a raise with even a modest season. If Mayfield has a year similar to 2025, I can still see him getting a deal that falls in line at around $40-$45 million per year.
The only way Mayfield doesn’t receive any sort of raise, or new deal, is if things just fall apart in 2026. When considering the Buccaneers offense on paper and what Zac Robinson brings, that’s very hard to envision. This is the NFL, though, and anything can happen.
And with that being said, it’s smarter for Mayfield to just wait it out. The Buccaneers offense is in a good spot to where he should have a good year, no matter what. I’d be willing to bet the Buccaneers would still give him a new deal after a bad injury, too, like they did with Chris Godwin Jr.
The situation favors Mayfield, ultimately, and I’m sure he understands that. We’ll see how that plays a role over the next few weeks.