As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers exit March and the main wave of NFL free agency, the majority of the focus will be on upgrading the roster through the 2026 NFL Draft later in April. The Bucs' 2025 season collapse was a clear sign of just how much more work needs to be done to rebuild a defense that completely fell apart under Todd Bowles, whose own leadership was strongly challenged after such a poor performance.
But making upgrades isn't the only task for Jason Licht and the Buccaneers front office for the remainder of the spring. The Bucs do have some important players set for new contract extensions, and it is a priority for the Bucs to keep these guys around and keep them happy so they don't end up with even more glaring needs.
Licht recently expressed confidence to reporters, via Rob Maaddi, that the Buccaneers will be able to sign edge rusher Yaya Daby and franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield to new contracts before the offseason ends. He confirmed that the Bucs want to keep these two key players in Tampa Bay for the long haul. He also said of Mayfield, “Baker is a true pro. He’s a leader for this team. We love Baker.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneeeers want to sign Baker Mayfield and Yaya Diaby to long-term contract extensions
Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract, and he has been one of the big stories of the offseason for fans. Despite a poor second half of the 2025 season and an inability to navigate all the brutal Bucs injuries on offense - probably because he was playing hurt himself - there is the utmost confidence in Mayfield as the franchise quarterback from both the entire fan base and from the front office. He is the guy, and the Bucs are going to keep him. Jason Licht has only affirmed the obvious there.
But Diaby is also very important to keep. He is the only proven pass rusher on the squad, leading the team in sacks last season, and while the Bucs did sign Al-Quadin Muhammad from the Detroit Lions to play on the other side of the pass rush as a key upgrade, he doesn't have the same long term upside that Diaby does. If Todd Bowles or another future head coach can help him get things to fully click, Diaby could be a 10-15 sack guy in the NFL.
Losing Diaby after the season would create an even bigger problem at the outside linebacker position for Tampa Bay. It is obvious that the Bucs need to get contracts for these two players done and prevent them from hitting the open market next offseason.