Chase McLaughlin wants a Buccaneers contract extension, and he’s earned it

After years of struggles at the kicker position, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have put those woes to rest with Chase McLaughlin. 

Through three seasons in Tampa Bay, McLaughlin has made 90% of his field goals. He was the NFL’s most accurate kicker from 50-plus yards in 2025, and set a new NFL record with 11 consecutive kicks made from that distance. 

McLaughlin is entering a contract year, and while kicker is an underrated position, having someone reliable in that role is priceless. The Bucs must be prepared to open the checkbook and ensure he stays in Tampa Bay. 

Chase McLaughlin wants a new contract extension from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

McLaughlin spoke to reporters after practice on Wednesday, and was asked if he’d like to get an extension done ahead of the season. 

“Yeah, I mean I think it’s something anyone on the field would like to have done is get an extension early… Everyone knows points are at a premium in this league and I think across the league we’re seeing that kickers are being seen more as an asset than an afterthought. It’s been great to be here in Tampa for, gosh, going in my fourth year now. So that’s been wonderful.”

He specifically pointed to the Steelers’ Chris Boswell, the Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey and the Texans Ka’imi Fairbairn as kickers who have recently been rewarded with extensions. It’s clear that he’d like to join that group, and he deserves it.

Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin has earned a pay raise 

FanSided’s Adam Fromal ranked every kicker in the NFL, primarily using a tool he developed called Kick Value Added. The metric measures how much value a kicker adds (or costs) relative to league expectations based on the distances from which he attempts them.

McLaughlin ranked as the NFL’s seventh-best kicker. 

“Chase McLaughlin has a successful 65-yarder under his belt and would’ve finished with his fourth consecutive top-eight finish in KVA last year were it not for a trio of blocked kicks — two of which were clearly not his fault. His average made field goal (42.1 yards) ranked No. 3 among kickers with at least five attempts in 2025, and he has the power to avoid more blocks with a slightly more upward trajectory on his attempts,” Fromal wrote. 

His production in Tampa Bay backs that ranking up. McLaughlin’s 90% conversion rate with the Buccaneers makes him the most accurate kicker in franchise history, and the only one above 85%.

McLaughlin’s powerful leg makes him a unique weapon. It gives the Buccaneers the luxury of knowing all they have to do is get to the opponent’s 35-yard line, and they’re almost guaranteed three points on the drive. That doesn’t grow on trees.

There are currently 11 kickers earning more per season than McLaughlin, whose current contract pays him $4.1 million annually. Four kickers make at least $6 million, while the top nine all earn at least $5 million. The Bucs will have to bump his pay significantly to meet his market value. 

It wouldn’t be shocking if McLaughlin’s asking price is $7 million per year, which would tie him with Brandon Aubrey and Chris Boswell as the league’s highest-paid kickers. 

For a franchise that has been as cursed at kicker as Tampa Bay has, the Bucs can’t afford to take someone of this caliber for granted. McLaughlin knows what he brings to this team, and he wants to be paid accordingly.

If the Bucs aren’t willing to reward their elite kicker, there will be teams lining up to add one of the league’s most automatic kickers from long distance.  

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