The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rapidly approaching the deadline to re-sign Baker Mayfield to a long-term contract extension.
Training camp is just 11 days away, and if a deal isn’t signed by then, Mayfield will play out the final season of his contract and become a free agent after the season.
Despite both sides wanting to reach a long-term agreement, little progress is being made toward a contract extension; and time is running out.
Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield are still not close in contract negotiations
NFL insider Ian Rapoport appeared on The Insiders show on NFL Network and delivered a grim update about the Buccaneers’ negotiations with Baker Mayfield.
“They have had extensive talks. It does not feel to me like they are close. And this deadline is coming,” Rapoport said.
Rapoport mentioned the $50 million per year benchmark as an aiming point for Mayfield, and it’s puzzling why the organization wouldn’t be willing to meet that demand for their franchise quarterback.
There are currently 12 quarterbacks crossing that threshold, and the number will only grow over the next few years.
Mayfield’s production compares favorably to several $50 million quarterbacks such as Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, and Jalen Hurts.
If Mayfield ultimately reaches free agency next season and the Buccaneers opt to use the franchise tag, the 2027 tag is estimated around $50 million, so Mayfield holds the leverage here.
If the Bucs want him to be their quarterback in 2027 and beyond, they’ll likely have to pay $50 million one way or another.
Ultimately, we’re not in the negotiating room, so there’s no telling what could be holding up contract talks. But as the deadline looms, the best move for Tampa Bay is to find a way to get a deal done and prevent this contract dispute from becoming the defining storyline of the Bucs’ 2026 season.
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