The Cleveland Rollercoaster
It all started with so much promise. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Baker Mayfield was anointed the savior of a Cleveland Browns franchise that hadn't won a game in nearly two years. He delivered immediately, leading them to a thrilling
comeback win in his debut and setting a rookie record for touchdown passes. The peak came in 2020, when he guided the Browns to their first playoff victory in 26 years, looking every bit the franchise leader they had desperately needed. But the relationship soured quickly. An injury-plagued 2021 season saw Mayfield's performance decline, and public friction grew. The final straw was the Browns' secretive and aggressive pursuit of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Feeling betrayed and disrespected by the front office's move, Mayfield publicly demanded a trade, leading to an unceremonious end to his time in Cleveland.
The Carolina Misfire
Mayfield's next stop was Carolina, a move intended to give both the player and the Panthers a fresh start. It did neither. The fit was awkward from the beginning, with an offense that didn't suit his strengths and a coaching situation in flux, which led to the in-season firing of head coach Matt Rhule. After a poor start and an ankle injury, Mayfield was benched. Upon realizing he wouldn't regain the starting job, he requested his release. The Panthers granted his request in December 2022, cutting ties with the quarterback just months after trading for him. It was a brief and forgettable chapter that marked a low point in his career, leaving him a free agent mid-season.
The Hollywood Reset Button
Just when his future as a starter looked bleakest, Mayfield landed with the Los Angeles Rams. Claimed off waivers, he was thrown into the fire. Just two days after arriving, he led a now-legendary 98-yard, game-winning drive against the Las Vegas Raiders. While his record with the Rams was just 2-3, the short stint was a massive success. Working under coach Sean McVay, Mayfield later said the experience was "pivotal" and helped him "find the fun in football again." It served as a perfect audition, proving to the league—and perhaps to himself—that he still had the talent and clutch gene to lead a team. This crucial layover reset his value and led directly to his next opportunity.
Tampa Bay's Hero... and a Familiar Tension
In Tampa Bay, Mayfield found the perfect home. Replacing a legend in Tom Brady, he revitalized his career, leading the Buccaneers to two Pro Bowl selections, back-to-back division titles, and a playoff win. He re-established himself as a top-tier quarterback and was rewarded with a three-year, $100 million contract in 2024. Now, however, that familiar tension has returned. As of late July 2026, contract extension talks have stalled, with Mayfield and the team far apart on value. Mayfield, who set a training camp deadline for a new deal, has publicly stated he feels "disrespected" and "undervalued" by the team's offers. He believes he has earned a spot among the league's highest-paid quarterbacks, a tier the Buccaneers have been unwilling to meet. He will now play out the final year of his deal, betting on himself once again.
