While the rest of the NFL world continues to pay quarterbacks more and more money, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht can sit back and relax after bringing back Baker Mayfield.
The quarterback market has risen dramatically since Mayfield signed a three-year deal worth $100 million to remain in Tampa Bay. The former first-round pick was never going to land a contract in the region of $50 million annually, but recent extensions could have driven his asking price up.
The quarterback position is so important that teams are willing to completely overpay in the hopes of finally having found their guy.
Fortunately for the Bucs, their deal with Mayfield looks better by the day.
Buccaneers got a bargain with Baker Mayfield's contract extension
Already this offseason, Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence have landed game-changing contract extensions. Goff signed a deal worth $53 million annually, while Lawrence tied Joe Burrow for a league-high $55 million salary.
Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love, and Dak Prescott could reset the market again in the weeks ahead.
Goff's deal is worth $212 million with 80 percent fully guaranteed. Lawrence signed a $275 million contract with 72 percent guaranteed. Mayfield's deal is worth just $100 million, of which only half is fully guaranteed. Are we sure Mayfield is that much worse than the other two quarterbacks?
Sure, Goff is coming off a tremendous season with 4,575 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. But he also benefits from playing behind the league's best offensive line, handing the ball off to a top-five running back duo, and throwing to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. Oh, and it helps when Ben Johnson is scheming receivers wide-open.
Meanwhile, in his first three seasons, Lawrence has thrown for 11,770 yards, 58 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions with an 85.0 rating. The Jaguars are 20-30 in those games.
Last season, Mayfield threw for more passing yards and touchdowns and had fewer interceptions while earning a better passer rating. Yet Lawrence just tied Burrow for the league's highest quarterback contract.
Mayfield is coming off a fantastic year and makes the Buccaneers contenders to win a fourth straight NFC South title. Compared to other quarterback deals this offseason, Tampa Bay got a bargain.