The 2026 NFL season is already on the horizon for all 32 franchises, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be looking for redemption after what happened at the end of last season. Becoming legitimate contenders in the future could depend on being able to keep Baker Mayfield in the franchise for several more years.
“Baker is at the forefront of our mind at all times,” Jason Licht said on The Drive with TKras about Mayfield entering the final year of his deal. “All of our plans revolve around Baker. That’s something that we’ll get to at some point. I have had a lot of discussions with Baker about the team.
“We texted during the draft after some of the picks. I know he was excited about the players that we took. We have a great relationship. And listen, nobody here wants Baker to be playing for any other team, so I’ll just leave it at that.”
The former quarterback of the Cleveland Browns has outplayed the $33 million-per-year contract he signed in 2024, which includes zero guaranteed dollars. Can the general manager finally achieve his goal of retaining him for many more years in Tampa?
Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mayfield seems to have found his place in the NFL
Baker Mayfield’s tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has sparked a remarkable career resurgence, reaching its peak during the 2025 season. Leading the team through all 17 games, Mayfield threw for 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, finishing the year with a solid 90.6 passer rating.
This stability in Tampa marks his best version since entering the NFL, contrasting sharply with his turbulent journey as a former first-overall pick. After a rollercoaster start with the Cleveland Browns and a difficult 2022 stint split between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield found the perfect environment in Florida.
By securing consecutive division titles and proving to be a high-level starter, he has finally moved past the “journeyman” label, transforming from a displaced starter into the undisputed leader of the Buccaneers’ offense.
Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2026.
What is Mayfield’s contract situation?
Baker Mayfield is entering a decisive stage with the franchise to secure his future with the Bucs. With the situation of Daniel Jones on the Indianapolis Colts as a reference ($44 million per year would appear to be the absolute floor), both sides will look for an agreement that places the quarterback higher than the last seasons.
A potential extension could see the two sides agree on a multi-year deal worth between $45 million and $50 million per year, aligning him with the current market for top-10 quarterbacks and potentially lowering his immediate cap hit to provide the team with more flexibility for the 2026 season.
