Baker Mayfield will play under current contract, become a free agent

Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times on Jul 28, 2026

Published in Football

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TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield has built his career by betting on himself — from walking on at Texas Tech and later Oklahoma, to winning the Heisman Trophy, becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft and rebuilding his career in Tampa Bay.

Now he’s willing to roll the dice again.

The Bucs quarterback will play the 2026 season under his current contract as he was unable to reach a deal by his self-imposed deadline of the start of training camp.

The 31-year-old Mayfield will earn $40 million this season; he was seeking a long-term agreement.

Talks ended Tuesday afternoon as Mayfield reported to camp with no further discussions planned at this time.

The news comes one day after defensive tackle Vita Vea requested a trade from the team after talks failed to result in a contract extension. Like Mayfield, Vea is in the final year of a deal, his paying $17.75 million this season.

It adds to a tumultuous offseason which began with future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans leaving the Bucs after 12 seasons to sign with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent for less than Tampa Bay offered.

Mayfield had made it clear he didn’t want contract negotiations to extend into training camp. Just before mandatory minicamp in June, he acknowledged he was disappointed with the club’s initial offer. In fact, it was low enough that his representatives chose not to make a counteroffer.

But six weeks of negotiations netted no new deal.

However, it’s a scenario that neither the Bucs nor Mayfield were afraid of.

In fact, Mayfield insisted he would play as hard as he ever has with or without a new deal and the Bucs agreed.

“I have no concerns about that,” general manager Jason Licht said in June. ”I’ve talked to him about that. He’s in a very good place right now. He just wants to win. He’s a pro’s pro. We have all the respect in the world, I do personally, everybody here does. He’s going to ball. He’s going to ball no matter what. ... When you have these types of situations, they’re never easy. But the one thing I know personally, and I can lay down at night and know that he’s going to play his ass off."

Mayfield revitalized his career after signing a one-year, $4 million prove-it contract with the Bucs in 2023. He led Tampa Bay to consecutive NFC South titles and a victory over the Eagles in the NFC wild-card round in his first season, throwing for 4,044 yards with 28 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

He followed that performance with the best season of his career in 2024, passing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns against 16 interceptions, cementing himself as the franchise’s long-term answer at quarterback.

He ranks second in passing touchdowns (95) and third in passing yards (12,237) over the past three seasons

Last season, Mayfield and the Bucs started fast, going 6-2 with Mayfield piloting five of those wins in the final minute. But injuries caught up to them on the offensive line and at receiver, where Evans missed eight games with a hamstring strain and broken collarbone.

Mayfield hasn’t missed a start since joining the Bucs and is one of only three NFL quarterbacks to start the last 51 games, a list that includes Josh Allen and Jared Goff. But an array of injuries he suffered last season affected his play down the stretch. Mayfield appeared on the injury report with eight different ailments, including a sprained MCL and PCL as well as injuries to his right arm and left shoulder.

Mayfield’s average salary of $33.3 million ranked 16th among NFL quarterbacks. Until Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins were released by their former teams, he was ranked 19th.

The Bucs still have some control over Mayfield. Prior to free agency in 2027, they could apply the franchise tag, which is projected to be more than $50 million.

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