Sportsnaut
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a contract stalemate with franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft is entering the final season of his three-year, $100 million contract. Negotiations this offseason haven’t necessarily gone well. Both sides would prefer to reach a resolution before the season gets underway.
Yet, if the Buccaneers’ front office, led by general manager Jason Licht, can’t see eye-to-eye with Mayfield and his agent on contract value, then what?
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It’s safe to say that Mayfield has earned some respect from the Buccaneers after arguably outplaying both of the contracts he’s signed with them since 2023, earning the first two Pro Bowl nods of his career.
Yet, for whatever reason, finding common ground at the negotiation table has been a far more difficult task for the Buccaneers and Mayfield. Known to be a fiery competitor, the 31-year-old has let it be known to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that he wouldn’t be afraid of playing out the 2027 season on the franchise tag, should contract talks with the Bucs break down.
As noted here: While Mayfield would prefer a long-term deal, he's not afraid of the franchise tag, which would cost Tampa Bay at least $47M in 2027. https://t.co/udBIhnvhTU
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 26, 2026
Mayfield has definitely played the best football of his career as a member of the Buccaneers. Will losing Mike Evans hurt his ability to produce on a consistent basis? The Buccaneers don’t believe so, but no one will have the answers to that until the season gets rolling. Hopefully by that point this contract situation will have a resolution.
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