Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers failed to reach a contract extension this offseason, meaning the veteran quarterback will play out the final year of his contract in 2026.
It’s become one of the biggest storylines across the entire NFL, especially after Mayfield went scorched earth through the media, declaring he felt disrespected by the organization and disappointed in the way it has historically handled negotiations.
But with preseason on the horizon and the regular season just a month away, Mayfield is ready to put the contract saga behind him. He wants to have a great season and let the chips fall where they may when he returns to the negotiating table next offseason. Mayfield has no intention of letting his contract situation become a distraction for the Buccaneers this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers see no change in Baker Mayfield amid contract drama
Mayfield appeared on the 4th And South podcast with Leonard Fournette and Jarvis Landry, and naturally, his contract was a topic of discussion.
But Mayfield made it clear that his sole focus entering the season is leading Tampa Bay back to their winning ways after the Bucs missed the playoffs in a disappointing 8-9 season.
“There’s the business side of football. Yes, we all play this for a job but they know that when it comes to game days, I’m ready for a good season. I want my lick back in 2026. We didn’t play well enough in ‘25, so it’s on go,” Mayfield said.
Second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, speaking with NFL Network, revealed that Mayfield spoke to the team to address the ongoing contract drama and assure his teammates that he’s focused on football.
“It hasn’t affected him at all. He actually addressed us on the first day of camp and told us what it was and he said, ‘obviously my contract stuff is going to be up on the air, but I’m all ball. I’m all business. I’m here for you guys. I’m here to win a championship.’ That’s the mentality he carries into it every single day and we wouldn’t want a better guy to rally behind as an offense and as a team,” Egbuka said.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson similarly vouched for Mayfield, saying that despite negotiations falling through, he hasn’t missed a beat.
“Baker’s been Baker. You know, the contract stuff has been out there… you would not be able to tell at all that that’s going on… He’s been all ball and he means it and that’s exactly what he’s been every single day,” Robinson said.
Robinson went on to mention that Mayfield has been fully bought in, coming in every day as his highly-competitive self and wanting to know what’s on the script offensively.
It should come as a sigh of relief that Mayfield is setting his grievances aside for the sake of the team in pursuit of a successful season for the Buccaneers. It’s the sign of a true leader, and while things didn’t go Mayfield’s way this offseason, if he has the season he’s capable of in 2026, Tampa Bay will be happy to reward him with the lucrative long-term deal he’s seeking.
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