The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to rebound in 2026 after missing out on the postseason last year. They will have to do so without receiver Mike Evans around after he left in free agency to sign with the San Francisco 49ers.
That will be a change for fans as Evans spent 12 years in Tampa Bay, but everything comes to an end. And the latest comments from quarterback Baker Mayfield show his future with the team is up in the air following the 2026 season.
When speaking to reporters on Friday, Mayfield expressed that he and the team aren't close to an extension but remain focused on the upcoming season.
"Not anywhere close to what we were thinking. Would love to be here long term but as of right now that’s not exactly the case. But I’m under contract for 2026. The guys in that locker room, the staff know that I’m still gonna be me. I’m still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl. To me that’s the priority. Everything else will take care of itself. “
Although he revealed that he's worried about 2026, Mayfield stated that when training camp starts, conversations around an extension will halt for the remainder of the season.
Bucs and Baker Mayfield aren't close to an extension
So that means both sides have a few more weeks to hammer out a new deal, but it sounds like they may not reach a solution. Mayfield is entering the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal. His $33.3 million AAV is the 11th-highest in the NFL. That's certainly a bargain for Tampa Bay, but Mayfield may feel underpaid, as 11 quarterbacks make $50 million plus per year, with five guys tied at $55 million annually.
Mayfield obviously wants a raise and likely wants to be in the tier with the other quarterbacks getting at least $50 million per year, but the team is probably steering away from that. While no exact numbers were revealed, you had to assume that the Oklahoma product wants to get into the upper tier of salaries with the Bucs. And when you look at his tenure with the team, you can understand it.
Over 51 games with Tampa Bay, he has completed 66 percent of throws for 12,237 passing yards, 95 passing touchdowns, and 37 interceptions. Mayfield has gone over 4,000 passing yards in all three campaigns, along with two Pro Bowl nods. He has also led them to two playoff appearances, giving them one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL.
If the Bucs don't agree to an extension before 2026 begins, they'll be playing a risky game, as the price can increase even more with another solid season from Mayfield. They have the franchise tag in their back pocket, but that's an expensive alternative.
In 2025, the franchise tag for quarterbacks was $40.2 million, and in 2026, it went up to $43.8 million. The odds are it will increase again in 2027, as the salary cap continues to rise.
Regardless, the Bucs have an important decision to make about their future. If they can't agree to terms soon, they risk him hitting the open market and potentially leaving just as Evans did. He even signed with the 49ers for less money than Tampa Bay offered, showcasing that you never know what can happen when a player hits the open market.
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