It has been a rough offseason for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After watching Mike Evans choose against the organization and join another NFC contender in the San Francisco 49ers, Bucs fans just saw Lavonte David officially retire after a legendary career as the latest great Bucs linebacker, vacating a position that already has serious holes (even after a couple of free agent signings).
As the Buccaneers turn to rebuilding their defense in the 2026 NFL Draft and potentially adding to the offense after the departure of their greatest ever wide receiver, the organization has another priority on its hands: Baker Mayfield.
The former Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams quarterback is playing the ball of his life in Tampa Bay. Now, in the final year of a three year, 100 million dollar contract, Mayfield is a no brainer to re-sign to a new deal.
Buccaneers are reportedly ready to extend Baker Mayfield
According to a new report from Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to negotiate a new contract this offseason, with him being due for a deal. And Howe expects the move to redefine the market for quarterbacks, handsomely paying Mayfield as a top QB.
Though there are still some whispers of doubts around the NFL about Mayfield as a true franchise quarterback who can lead a team to a Super Bowl, very, very few of those whispers are around Raymond James Stadium. Nobody is blaming Mayfield for the abhorrent 2025 season collapse, with most of the criticism directed at head coach Todd Bowles and a defense littered with holes.
If the Buccaneers can patch those needs up before the season starts, they stand a good chance of bouncing back as a playoff team again in 2026. Clearly, the Buccaneers want to build this franchise around Mayfield, whose chip on his shoulder only grew after the season the Bucs had in 2025 and after Evans basically chose Brock Purdy and the 49ers over him and the Bucs.
Getting Mayfield tied down to a big contract carries a bit of risk with it, but that risk is necessary so that all parties can move forward with one goal in mind. The Buccaneers are a franchise that always operate on an all or nothing basis; they are in the business of winning Super Bowls. It has paid off fruitfully twice, and they believe with the right ingredients around the Bake, they can do it a third time before his next big contract will be up.