Baker Mayfield told reporters Thursday that he felt "disrespected" and "undervalued" by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after failing to reach a contract extension by his self-imposed deadline.
Mayfield is entering the final season of a three-year, $100 million contract he signed in March 2024, with his $33.33 million annual salary ranked 16th among NFL quarterbacks.
"I wanted a deal done, and set the deadline, and told them it was going to be all ball after that. And I did mean that," Mayfield said. "And
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 of my career and understanding what I brought to this franchise -- one, I'm very, very grateful for the chance they gave me, do not get me wrong on that. But I also really know what I've brought to this franchise leadership-wise and even play-wise. It's been some of the best years of my career. And I think it's only going to trend upwards. Just feeling comfortable in feeling that.
"So, disappointing in that regard to not have ... to feel disrespected a little bit. And that's really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you've earned it."
ESPN reported the Bucs offered Mayfield a two-year contract offer that didn't whet the appetite of the quarterback. Mayfield told the network the team was "pretty far" from the $50 million average annual value he is seeking.
"This is not a 'poor me' thing," he said. "There's 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 that, I deserve to be compensated for that. I think I'm a franchise quarterback. I've been told I'm a franchise quarterback. It's been said publicly from ownership down, here. So to not have a deal done is very disappointing."
Mayfield joined the team on a one-year, $4 million deal ahead of the 2023 season as the Bucs tried to fill the role of the retired Tom Brady.
Mayfield, 31, earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2023 and 2024 while helping Tampa Bay capture consecutive division titles, though the team limped to an 8-9 record last season and missed the playoffs.
In eight NFL seasons with four teams, Mayfield has completed 63.5% of his passes for 28,525 yards, 197 touchdowns and 101 interceptions in 123 games (120 starts).
--Field Level Media
