Time is running out for the Buccaneers to work out a Baker Mayfield extension if he holds firm on his self-imposed negotiating deadline. Training camp is approaching, but one other round of contract talks ought to be forthcoming.
Tampa Bay is “prepared to dive in on” negotiations this week, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. Earlier this offseason, Mayfield stated he wouldn’t discuss an extension once training camp began. As Breer notes, though, the Buccaneers have a history under general manager Jason Licht of finalizing deals during camp.
If that trend is to proceed in Mayfield’s case, progress will should be made in brief order. The Bucs’ initial extension offer was not near the asking price from Mayfield’s camp, and a niche stays between the 2 sides at this point. Per Breer, a counteroffer had not been presented when Tampa’s QB1 spoke about contract talks last month. Useless to say, it is going to be interesting to see if traction might be gained over the approaching days.
Mayfield thrived during his Bucs campaign, substantially outperforming the $4MM flier Tampa Bay took on him. That deal was followed by a three-year, $100MM pact which is about to run out after the 2026 season. Mayfield is in line for a raise on his next contract, one which could add him to the list of passers averaging $50MM or more per yr. There are currently 12 signal-callers carrying a mean annual value of a minimum of $51MM.
Across his three Tampa Bay seasons, Mayfield has yet to miss a start. Injuries are an element being weighed by the team, nevertheless, and the 31-year-old handled a variety of nagging ailments last season. A robust start in 2025 was ultimately undone, and the Buccaneers missed the playoffs with a record of 8-9. Higher health on offense would go a good distance in helping Tampa Bay rebound, but Mayfield’s level of play would change into a significant talking point throughout the season if he were enter the yr as a pending free agent.
Breer predicts a deal will indeed get done this summer. One other three-year accord, this time price $165MM (or an analogous figure) likely represents a logical baseline on this case, he adds. A desire to finalize an extension has long been mutual, and a brand new effort to complete negotiations with an agreement being reached will happen over the approaching days.