Bucs QB Baker Mayfield says contract talks 'not close,' sets deadline for deal

Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times on Jun 5, 2026

Published in Football

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TAMPA, Fla. — Quarterback Baker Mayfield says talks on a contract extension with the Bucs are ongoing but “not close to what we were thinking.” He has set a deadline for the start of training camp to reach an agreement or plans to play out the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal.

Mayfield, who joined the Bucs on a one-year, $4 million prove-it pact in 2023, has ranked among the most elite quarterbacks in the NFL since joining the Bucs. He ranks second in passing touchdowns (95) and third in passing yards (12,237) over the past three seasons while leading his team to two NFC South titles and a playoff win.

Mayfield, 31, currently ranks 16th among NFL quarterbacks with an average salary of $33.3 million per year, according to Over the Cap.

During a break at his youth football camp Friday at One Buc Place, Mayfield expressed disappointment that negotiations haven’t closed the gap. But if an agreement can’t be reached, it won’t affect his performance in 2026, he said.

“First and foremost, regardless, we’ve built roots here in Tampa,” Mayfield said. “We love the community. We love being here. They’ve embraced us. We enjoy being here, and obviously we’re going to raise kids here.

“But yeah, the contract stuff, it’s happening. It’s starting, the talks and whatnot. But not anywhere close to what we were thinking. Would love to be here long term, and as of right now that’s not exactly the case. But I’m under contract for 2026, and the guys in that locker room, the staff know that I’m still going to be me. I’m still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl, and to me, that’s the priority. Everything else will take care of itself.

“Yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done,” Mayfield continued, “but they know my deadline is as soon as training camp starts we’re not doing any of the contract stuff, it’s all ball. So it’s not up to me when that gets done by. Hopefully before that. If not? I’m still going to have a good year.”

The Bucs’ initial offer is believed to have been so low it didn’t elicit a counterproposal. The team is still nearly seven weeks from the start of training camp.

Both sides have much at stake in these negotiations. Mayfield would like more long-term stability. Spotrac projects a near-term extension being worth $155 million over three years, or $51.6 million per year.

But the Bucs have some options if they can’t reach an agreement before training camp. They can let Mayfield play out his current contract and would have until the start of the new league year in March of 2027 to strike a new deal. The projected exclusive franchise tag for a quarterback next year ranges from $58 million-$60 million.

Mayfield has not missed a game since joining the Bucs as a free agent in 2023, succeeding seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady.

The Bucs were his fourth team in 18 months, but he quickly established himself as the franchise quarterback in his first season, when he passed for 4,044 yards with 28 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions.

Unfortunately, the Bucs have had a different offensive coordinator each season Mayfield has been in Tampa Bay. They went from Dave Canales to Liam Coen, Josh Grizzard and now Zac Robinson, whom Mayfield worked with during his five-game stint with the Rams in 2022.

If there is a knock against Mayfield, it’s that his ability to extend plays can lead to injuries. Although he has never missed a start in Tampa Bay, he appeared on the injured list 10 different weeks last season with seven distinct ailments ranging from a knee to biceps, left shoulder, foot and oblique, to name a few.

But if he were to have a good year and reach free agency, he could find interest from several teams, including the Rams, should Matthew Stafford retire.

Mayfield’s job also became a lot harder in the offseason, when receiver Mike Evans signed with the 49ers as a free agent.

“There’s no way to sugarcoat it. It’s disappointing to not have him back,” Mayfield said. “Just the caliber of player he is. He’s a Hall of Famer. I thought he was going to be a Buc for life. Things happen. But luckily, him and I have a great relationship. We’ll still be friends for life, and I’ll be cheering him on except when we play them, if it comes down to it.

“But for Mike to leave, it allows Chris Godwin to step up. He’s always been an unbelievable leader, but for him to really take charge of that room. With all the injuries we had, a lot of guys played last year. So, to also have (Jalen McMillan), Chris and Emeka (Egbuka) really, really healthy right now, feeling good to lead those guys and just to watch the steps that they’re taking from Year 1 to Year 2 when it comes to (Egbuka) and Tez (Johnson). Watching them help Ted Hurst as well.

“So there’s a lot of weapons in that room,” Mayfield continued. “So when you lose a guy like (Evans), you’ve got to have a lot of guys fill those shoes and not just one person, and we have that.”