Baker Mayfield is making headlines in his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has established himself as a key quarterback in the 2025 NFL season. He is filling the role left by the legendary Tom Brady, who also played for the franchise at the end of his career.
Brady retired at the end of the 2022 season after three years with the Buccaneers, during which he won his seventh Super Bowl ring. His tenure was known for demonstrating high performance despite his veteran status. In this case, Mayfield aims to replicate that success.
Mayfield joined Tampa Bay in March 2023 to start a new era, which was extended with a contract renewal signed in 2024. His starting role and position within the Bucs naturally invite comparisons to Brady’s final year in terms of finances.
How much did Tom Brady earn in his final NFL season compared to Mayfield?
In Tom Brady’s final NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his compensation was structured for salary cap reasons. Over The Cap notes that Brady’s base salary for 2022 was just $1.12 million, a common tactic used to manage current salary cap charges effectively.
Baker Mayfield of the Buccaneers
However, according to Spotrac, Brady’s overall contract in 2022 was reportedly valued at around $15 million, which included a combination of base salary and significant bonuses. These bonuses, often paid upfront, are prorated over the life of the contract to distribute the cap hit across multiple years.
Consequently, Brady’s cap hit for 2022 was approximately $11.9 million, reflecting both his base salary and the prorated portions of these bonuses. Still, the situation with his eventual successor differs. Mayfield is under a three-year, $100 million contract with the Bucs, guaranteeing him $50 million. His average annual salary is $33.3 million, although the franchise can structure it differently to create salary cap space.
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Mayfield’s performance in the 2025 NFL season
Mayfield has had a strong start to the season with the Buccaneers in 2025. In the first two games, he has thrown for 382 yards with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions, standing out for his impact on the field as Tampa Bay aims to maintain a 2-0 record.
