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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are under significant pressure to improve in the upcoming 2026 season after experiencing a disappointing playoff omission last year. Although an impressive draft class brings new hope, stabilizing the quarterback position for the long term is a top priority for the front office. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently explored the potential financial framework for a new deal for Baker Mayfield, consulting prominent NFL agents to assess the quarterback’s rising market value.
The consensus in the industry places a $50 million annual salary as the baseline for his services, with some representatives pushing as high as $60 million in new money. Mayfield’s current three-year, $100 million contract expires after this season, making a significant increase in pay inevitable in an ever-growing quarterback market.
This impending financial negotiation bears notable similarities to Sam Darnold’s contract situation with the Seattle Seahawks, as Darnold’s deal closely reflected the initial terms of Mayfield’s contract. While Mayfield has performed in line with the franchise’s expectations, he is currently earning just below top-tier compensation, creating an unusual risk for a team entering the season with its starting quarterback months away from free agency.
Dan Graziano of ESPN recently commented on the ongoing contract situation, noting that a resolution remains uncertain. Given that both the team and the quarterback are coming off a frustrating season, both parties might prefer to assess how the early months of the 2026 schedule unfold before making any long-term commitments. Graziano speculated that the organization would likely opt for a temporary salary adjustment before the regular season begins, rather than finalizing a permanent extension.
This ongoing contractual uncertainty has sparked hopeful rumors among Pittsburgh Steelers fans, who are looking past veteran Aaron Rodgers’ impending retirement and envisioning Mayfield as a potential replacement.
However, Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire swiftly dismissed this speculation. He emphasized that Pittsburgh’s severely depleted salary cap makes it financially impossible to take on a large quarterback contract, forcing the franchise to rely on its young roster assets instead.
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