Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is entering his fourth season as the team’s starter and is seeking a contract extension.
Mayfield is signed through the 2026 season on what has become a team-friendly deal. He recently indicated he will not continue contract negotiations once training camp begins next month.
The veteran quarterback is not expected to hold out, but he has made it clear he does not plan to discuss an extension after reporting to camp.
General manager Jason Licht has previously stated he wants Mayfield to remain the franchise’s centerpiece beyond 2026. Head coach Todd Bowles echoed that sentiment, saying he has “absolutely no question” about wanting Mayfield to remain with the organization long term.
Mayfield has played out both of his previous NFL contracts. After the Cleveland Browns traded him to the Carolina Panthers, the teams split the cost of his fifth-year option. Mayfield also accepted a pay cut to help facilitate the move.
Carolina later waived Mayfield, leading to a brief stint with the Los Angeles Rams. He then joined Tampa Bay on a one-year, $4 million contract in 2023.
Following a successful season with the Buccaneers, Mayfield did not re-sign until just before the start of the 2024 legal tampering period.
Tampa Bay ultimately signed Mayfield to a three-year, $100 million contract. While the Buccaneers increased his guarantees for 2026 before the 2025 season, quarterback salaries have continued to rise across the league.
Mayfield, 31, enters the season ranked 16th among NFL quarterbacks in average annual value.
The Buccaneers have often waited until free agency approaches before re-signing key players rather than completing extensions early. Mayfield’s deal in 2024 followed that pattern, as did agreements with several other notable veterans over the years.
However, Tampa Bay made exceptions for Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tristan Wirfs. The team franchise-tagged Winfield before signing him to an extension and extended Wirfs during the final year of his contract.
Mayfield appears to be seeking a similar approach. The Buccaneers would still have the franchise tag available if the sides cannot reach an agreement before training camp.
The quarterback’s deadline is similar to the one Mike Evans set in 2023, when he stopped negotiations at the start of the regular season before eventually re-signing in 2024.
If Mayfield follows through on his stance and negotiations pause during training camp, the Buccaneers could face a critical decision regarding his future. Failing to reach an agreement over the next several weeks could push discussions into next year and create a situation resembling a franchise-tag timeline.
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