The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a pivotal season for the franchise, as they must get back to their winning ways to avoid more significant changes. One factor adding to the importance of the 2026 season is that it’s the final year on Baker Mayfield’s current contract. That means the veteran quarterback could be playing for a new deal, and the franchise could be deciding if he’s a part of the team’s future.
While all of that will play out in due time, the NFL world is already thinking about what it will take for Mayfield to remain in Tampa Bay. NFL reporter Jason La Canfora recently spoke with multiple front office members across the league, and got their thoughts on the pending contract situations of quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, CJ Stroud, and Baker Mayfield.
For Mayfield, one longtime executive believes Tampa’s path with the quarterback has already been laid out. Looking at the deal that Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks, the exec believes it would make sense for both the Bucs and Mayfeld to agree to an extension with similar numbers.
NFL executive thinks Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield should be inspired by Sam Darnold
Last offseason, Darnold signed a three-year deal worth $100.5 million with the Seahawks; because of the structure of the contract, La Canfora said Darnold’s contract was essentially two years for $70 million. With Mayfield’s current contact already averaging $33 million a year, the thought is that he should remain in that range.
It was noted that Mayfield is coming off a down season, partly because of injuries, and that he is now 31 years old. However, the Buccaneers are still built to win the NFC South, and it’s unlikely that they will lose enough games to land a quarterback with a high draft pick. That leaves Baker Mayfield as the best quarterback option for the team, so the franchise should sign him to a responsible extension.
"I’d try to get a short-term deal, structures like what Seattle did with [Sam] Darnold. I think there are some similarities with the players. You worry about the interceptions, can they get you over the top? It’s not totally similar, and Darnold was on the market and this is an extension. That’s the structure I would be looking at."Anonymous NFL exec (FanSided)
According to the front office member, a responsible deal would be short term, and similar to Sam Darnold’s contract. If Tampa Bay can keep Baker Mayfield around on a deal like that, the franchise absolutely should. The Buccaneers have had success in recent years with Mayfield, and they’re unlikely to find an upgrade. Additionally, a short-term deal would give the franchise the flexibility to move on from Baker Mayfield in the coming years, if it makes sense.
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