Mayfield Sets July Deadline for Buccaneers Deal
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Baker Mayfield said contract extension talks are "not anywhere close to what we were thinking" and he wants a long‑term deal before training camp starts in late July.
- Baker Mayfield is entering the third year of a three‑year extension signed in 2024, is under contract through 2026, and earns $33.33 million per season, the 16th‑highest quarterback salary in the league.
- Baker Mayfield called the loss of franchise scoring leader Mike Evans to the San Francisco 49ers “disappointing,” calling Evans a Hall of Famer and expressing that he thought Evans would stay a Buc for life.
- Baker Mayfield highlighted the chance for Chris Godwin and younger receivers Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Tez Johnson to step up after Evans’ departure.
- Baker Mayfield noted his personal bests in 2023 (4,044 yards, 28 TDs) and 2024 (4,500 yards, 41 TDs) and that he threw for 3,693 yards and 26 TDs in 2025 while the team lacked a fully healthy offense.
- Baker Mayfield mentioned his wife Emily, newborn son Maverick, and his community work in Tampa supporting diaper banks, early‑childhood programs, high‑school equipment donations, and scholarships for walk‑on athletes.
- Baker Mayfield said prior knowledge of the team’s inner workings helps negotiations, but the contract does not affect his work ethic or leadership.
Why it matters: The Buccaneers must lock in Mayfield’s extension before camp, shaping their salary‑cap allocation and roster stability; Mayfield gains long‑term security, while the team risks losing a starting quarterback or facing a costly mid‑season search if talks stall and the departure of Mike Evans already left a void in the passing game.
Ask SkimNews
