Baker Mayfield Sends Clear Message to Buccaneers Amid Contract Uncertainty
As the offseason moves along, quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain without a new deal in place, and it doesn’t look like it’s anywhere near the finish line toward getting done.
The Buccaneers haven’t publicly expressed any urgency in working out an extension with the two-time Pro Bowler ahead of the 2026 season.
Mayfield added more context by emphasizing that he wants a new deal with Tampa Bay by the start of training camp.
“Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done, but they know my deadline: As soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff. It’s all ball,” Mayfield said via ESPN. “It’s not up to me when that gets done by. So hopefully before that. If not — still going to have a good year.”
Mayfield is in the third year of his three-year, $100 million contract extension that he inked back in 2024. Since joining the Buccaneers, he has cemented himself as a legitimate starting quarterback behind his production and has led the franchise toward playoff appearances.
Despite injuries last season, he put forth another productive campaign, finishing 10th in the league with 3,693 passing yards, tied for seventh with 26 touchdown passes, and posting a 90.6 passer rating.
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Tampa Bay holds a clear desire toward working out a new deal with Mayfield, but that will need to come with a hefty payday that the 31-year-old believes he’s earned.
“I think first and foremost, regardless — we’ve built roots here in Tampa,” Mayfield said. “We love the community. We love to be here. They’ve embraced us, and we enjoy being here and obviously going to raise kids here. But yeah, contract stuff — it’s happening, it’s starting, the talks and whatnot, but not anywhere close to what we were thinking.”
Time will tell if both sides can work it out before the 2026 season.
