The time for negotiation is over. Quarterback Baker Mayfield clarified that Thursday morning when asked about the breakdown in his extension talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team he’s preparing to lead for a fourth season.
“I wanted the deal done (before training camp), set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that, and I (meant) that,” said Mayfield, who will play out the final year of the three-year, $100 million deal he signed in 2024. “I don’t know if they thought I was just going to take some of the offers that they gave, but I’m at the point in my career in understanding what I’ve brought this franchise. … So, it’s disappointing in that regard to feel disrespected a little bit. That’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it.”
Mayfield has a 27-24 record as the Bucs’ QB and led them to the playoffs as NFC South champions in 2023 and 2024, two seasons in which he also earned Pro Bowl nods. The average annual value of Mayfield’s current contract ($33.33 million) ranks 16th among quarterbacks, slotting him behind Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones ($44 million) and Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold ($33.5 million).
“This is not a ‘poor me’ thing,” Mayfield said. “There are a lot of other people who have it way worse off. (But) I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories, and I deserve to be compensated for that. I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly, from ownership. So, to not have a deal done is very disappointing. But I said the deadline was the deadline. I addressed the team to let them know I meant that. It’s all ball now. I’m with these guys.”
Mayfield, however, is coming off somewhat of a down season in 2025. Though he started hot, even thrusting himself into the early MVP conversation, he and the Bucs lost five of their final six games and missed the playoffs for the first time during his tenure in Tampa. Mayfield threw seven touchdowns against six interceptions during that stretch while taking six sacks. It should be noted, however, that the Bucs were banged up around him, and Mayfield was playing through multiple injuries, which he revealed on the Netflix series, “Quarterback.” Mayfield suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in Week 2 and also dealt with a biceps contusion before suffering a shoulder injury in Week 12.
Mayfield had the best year of his career in 2024, completing 71.4 percent of his passes for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, finishing 11th in the MVP voting.
“I’ve told you guys before,” Mayfield said. “I’ve been pretty up front and honest about my feelings about Tampa, it being a home for our family; we’re raising our kids here. We love it here. … I’m very, very thankful for the chance they gave me. Don’t get me wrong on that, but I also know what I’ve brought to this franchise leadership-wise and play-wise. I’ve had some of the best years of my career, and it’s only going to trend upwards.”
To that end, Mayfield suggested the Buccaneers will ultimately regret not reaching an extension with him ahead of this season.
“If you’ve waited this long to pay your franchise quarterback, it’s only going to get worse. … I’m going to have a big year.”
If the two sides don’t agree on an extension, the Bucs could use the franchise tag on Mayfield in 2027. While franchise tag values aren’t calculated until just before the start of free agency, Over The Cap estimates the franchise-tag figure for quarterbacks will be around $50.3 million, while the transition tag would be around $43.9 million.
