Contract negotiations between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield remain a major topic as the team prepares for the 2026 season.
NFL insider Albert Breer recently suggested that an agreement is likely to happen before the season begins. However, Breer also believes Mayfield may need to remain flexible regarding his self-imposed deadline for negotiations.
Mayfield previously stated that he did not want contract talks to continue beyond the start of training camp in late July. Breer pointed to the Buccaneers’ recent history when discussing why negotiations could extend deeper into the summer.
“The Buccaneers’ recent history showed a propensity for doing these extensions between the start of camp and Week 1 — most recently, left tackle Tristan Wirfs, right tackle Luke Goedeke and corner Zyon McCollum got big contracts in that window,” Breer stated. “So, yes, everyone would love to have this squared away before Mayfield next buckles on his shoulder pads. And, yes, Mayfield said after that point, he wants to turn his attention to football. But do you really believe that if he gets the deal he wants on Aug. 15, he’d say no?”
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There has also been speculation that Tampa Bay could make an adjustment to Mayfield’s current contract. Such a move could increase his pay without necessarily tying the two sides together through the 2027 season. The Buccaneers could also point to the franchise tag as a way to retain Mayfield’s rights for 2027 if he performs well under his current deal.
Breer believes the structure of a potential extension may be more important than its overall value.
“I think the most important number, though, will be what Mayfield takes home over the first three years of the deal, after you fold in the $40M that’s left on his current deal,” Breer stated. “So I’d say the deal, conservatively, is a three-year, $165M extension, which would be a four-year, $205M contract. And if I’m Mayfield’s camp, I’m looking for around $155M of that built into the first three years of the agreement.”
The amount of guaranteed money Mayfield’s representatives may seek remains unknown.
Meanwhile, NFL insider Mike Florio recently suggested that Mayfield could accept the Buccaneers’ final offer in August because of “the risk of injury during the 2026 season.”
Mayfield has dealt with multiple injuries during his career. He also suffered a significant injury to his non-throwing shoulder late last season. Those injury concerns could factor into negotiations as both sides continue working toward a potential agreement.
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