The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to terms with QB Baker Mayfield on a 3-year contract extension Monday, solidifying the 31-year-old’s place as the team’s franchise signal caller for next season and beyond.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter initially reported on the deal, with Ian Rapoport adding the baseline figures stand at $165 million total — working out to about $55 million per year.
It stands as a stark reversal from the off-season, when several reports asserted that Mayfield’s contingent and the team were far apart on talks. This disagreement came to a head at the beginning of training camp, when the quarterback called initial offers from the team “disrespectful” and made clear that negotiations were closed until after the season, when Mayfield was due to be a free agent.
Circumstances clearly changed in the last few weeks, resulting in what is now the richest contract in Buccaneers history for the 9th year veteran. Details on structure have not yet been revealed, but his new $55 million per year average trails only Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes now, matching Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow.
Mayfield was set to play out the final year of a 3-year, $100 million extension, which he built of his 1-year, $4 million prove-it deal back in 2023.
Mayfield has, in large, been a good-to-very good passer and leader for Tampa Bay. In 51 starts, Mayfield has amassed 12,237 passing yards, 95 passing touchdowns (top 5 in the NFL), and 37 interceptions to go along with some trademark scrambles that highlight 923 yards rushing and 5 additional scores.
He looked off to an extremely hot start in 2025 before injuries and general team dysfunction led to a disappointing overall campaign, but this extension signals that he and the team are confident in a rebound with a refreshed approach.
The Buccaneers and Mayfield kick off their 2026 campaign Sunday on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals at 1 p.m.
