The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed the playoffs last season, and the clock is ticking. With a promising draft class in the fold, the front office now faces a defining decision: lock down quarterback Baker Mayfield for the long haul — or risk watching him walk.
According to league insiders who spoke with Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the price tag for Mayfield’s services has a staggering baseline. Multiple prominent agents told Breer that $50 million per year is the absolute floor for any new extension. One agent put it bluntly: “There is very little argument Baker is worth less than 50 over the first three.” Another went further, claiming, “If I’m Baker, I’m asking for 60 per in new money.”
That kind of coin would represent a massive leap from Mayfield’s current three-year, $100 million deal — which pays him $33.3 million annually and expires after the 2026 season. The NFL quarterback market has ballooned since he signed that pact, and sources say the Buccaneers are reportedly willing to meet the rising tide.
But the drama isn’t over yet. Mayfield himself poured cold water on any sense of urgency, telling the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud, “Contract stuff is starting; it’s happening. Not anywhere close to what we’re thinking.” He insisted he’s “under contract for 2026” and that the locker room knows he’ll still be the same player. Still, insiders are buzzing about what a $50 million-plus annual salary could mean for Tampa’s ability to build around him.
At this stage, there’s no indication of a holdout, and negotiations are reportedly amicable. But with the market rising and Mayfield’s camp reportedly eyeing a $60 million ask, Buccaneers fans are left wondering: can the front office afford to pay their quarterback top dollar without gutting the rest of the roster?
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