The Baker Mayfield deal is a wild card that could upset fans
Baker Mayfield this season he is playing out of his mind. The former first overall pick is playing at an MVP level this season, leading the way Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 5-2 start this year. Mayfield’s incredible play naturally sparked talk of his next contract with the team.
Earlier reports stated that The Buccaneers and Mayfield plan to discuss a contract extension when the offseason begins. It is, of course, the most logical move to avoid any distractions this season. For the most part, contract extensions seem to be warranted based on the relationship between team and player. However, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler highlighted a potential “wild card” that could change the equation.
“Both parties are satisfied with this arrangement (reworking the contract in 2026).” Fowler wrote for ESPN. “Mayfield has proof of concept, which means his annual average should probably have a ‘5’ in front of him. The wild card is the Glazer family, which hasn’t always spent big on players. But Mayfield could be looking to add a tax on this deal, due to the leverage and below-market deal he’s currently playing on.”
Mayfield is currently under a three-year, $100 million deal with the Buccaneers that runs through 2026. The star quarterback has a whopping $52 million cap hit next year, though that could be significantly reduced when some tweaks come in the offseason. However, after 2026, Mayfield will need a new contract to remain with the team.
Although Mayfield will be 33 years old in the 2027 season, there’s reason to believe the star quarterback will still be effective until then. The biggest part of Mayfield’s success this season has been his tenacity in the pocket and his ability to work the field. Those elements will not change as his body begins to age. The only thing that will be lost in time are the daring scrambles the Buccaneers quarterback makes from time to time.
The Buccaneers are unfortunately coming off a brutal loss to the Detroit Lions. Praised The Buccaneers’ offense finally got a handle on the Lions’ tenacious defensescoring just nine points on the night.
2025-10-22 14:46:00
