Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain separated in negotiations over a possible contract extension, with the quarterback’s self-imposed deadline quickly approaching. Mayfield previously stated that he wanted a new agreement in place before veterans report for training camp on July 28, warning that discussions would end once the team begins preparations for the new season.
According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, the Buccaneers are not currently feeling pressure to complete a deal immediately. However, he suggested that the team’s position could change as training camp gets closer and the situation develops.
Mayfield has continued to make it clear that he would like to stay in Tampa Bay. During an interview while hosting a football camp at the University of Oklahoma, the quarterback said both sides appear interested in reaching an agreement but acknowledged that the challenge is finding terms that satisfy everyone involved.
The quarterback is entering the final year of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed in March 2024. The deal averages $33.33 million per season and can reach $115 million with incentives. In 2026, Mayfield is scheduled to earn $40 million, including a $10 million base salary and a $30 million roster bonus paid on the 10th day of the league year.
Contract comparisons shaping Mayfield’s expectations
The gap between the two sides may come from their different evaluations of the quarterback market. Mayfield’s camp reportedly believes recent deals around the league provide a strong foundation for negotiations, with Daniel Jones’ contract viewed as one possible reference point.
Jones signed a two-year, $88 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts in March after being designated as a transition player for $37.833 million. The agreement averages $44 million annually, can rise to $100 million through incentives, and includes $60 million in guarantees, with $49.49 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Mayfield’s representatives may believe the quarterback belongs among players earning around $50 million per year. Currently, 13 NFL players have contracts averaging at least that amount, including 12 quarterbacks and Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
Another important comparison is Brock Purdy’s extension with the San Francisco 49ers. Purdy agreed to a five-year, $265 million deal in May 2025, with $182.55 million in guarantees and $100 million fully guaranteed at signing. The contract pays him $53 million annually, making him the league’s ninth-highest-paid player.
Mayfield also likely considered Patrick Mahomes’ recently adjusted contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. That eight-year agreement is worth $504.75 million and averages $63.09 million per season, with incentives and escalators increasing the potential value to $522.25 million.
Buccaneers must weigh performance against future market value
Mayfield currently ranks 16th among NFL quarterbacks in average annual salary at $33.33 million and sits 30th among all players regardless of position. However, his position in the market is complicated by Tampa Bay’s disappointing 2025 campaign.
The Buccaneers appeared headed toward a fifth consecutive NFC South title after opening the season 6-2 before the Week 9 bye. Mayfield was also considered an early MVP candidate during that strong start.
The team’s fortunes changed after the break, finishing the year with a 2-7 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Tampa Bay ended the season at 8-9, while Mayfield’s production also declined.
The quarterback posted his lowest numbers during his three seasons with the Buccaneers, completing 63.2% of his passes for 3,693 yards with 26 touchdown throws and a 90.6 passer rating. A shoulder injury to his non-throwing left arm suffered against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 could be viewed as a factor that affected his performance.
Despite the difficult season, Mayfield’s overall three-year production in Tampa Bay remains strong. He has averaged 66.3% completions, 4,079 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 97.4 passer rating during his time with the team.
A possible middle ground could come from quarterback market trends
One possible solution would be comparing Mayfield’s situation with the average salaries of veteran starting quarterbacks expected to enter the 2026 season.
Among 23 projected veteran starters, excluding quarterbacks still on rookie contracts, the combined value of their deals equals $3.8 billion across 80 contract years. That creates an average salary of approximately $47.6 million per season.
When focusing only on established starters and removing four quarterbacks from consideration, the average rises to about $49.5 million annually. Eliminating older bridge options such as Jacoby Brissett, Aaron Rodgers, and Geno Smith increases the figure further to roughly $51.6 million per year among the remaining 16 quarterbacks.
Using those numbers as a guide, a potential compromise for Mayfield and Tampa Bay could fall somewhere between $47.5 million and $51.75 million annually.
The Buccaneers could also restructure the remaining years of Mayfield’s contract by turning the existing dummy years into actual seasons. Such an agreement could provide between $65 million and $72.5 million fully guaranteed at signing, while total guarantees could range from $107.5 million to $117.5 million.
A franchise tag possibility could influence future negotiations
If Tampa Bay refuses to reach an agreement within that financial range, Mayfield could enter the 2027 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. A strong bounce-back season could make him a leading candidate for the franchise tag.
The quarterback’s current contract contains three dummy years that void one day before the 15-day franchise and transition tag window opens in February 2027. If the Buccaneers choose that route, the franchise tag would cost at least $46.77 million based on the league’s salary rules.
The average cost of two franchise tags in 2027 and 2028 would be no lower than $51.447 million annually, a figure that matches the higher end of the possible middle ground range in extension talks.
Waiting could ultimately benefit Mayfield. If he plays out his contract and performs well, he may have a stronger negotiating position as the quarterback market continues to expand.
A major shift could come in the next few years, with Lamar Jackson entering a contract season in 2027 and several 2024 first-round quarterbacks becoming eligible for extensions. If one of those players surpasses Mahomes’ average annual salary, Mayfield could benefit from the rising value of elite quarterbacks across the league.