Baker Mayfield is in the final year of his current contract with the Bucs. The two sides have begun negotiations, but the veteran quarterback has a cutoff date.
TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield has been the Bucs’ starting quarterback since 2023, the year after Tom Brady’s retirement. Mayfield wants to remain in his current position for the foreseeable future, but his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season. Negotiations for an extension are underway. However, Mayfield is not satisfied with what’s been offered.
“Not anywhere close to what we were thinking, so [I] would love to be here long term, and as of right now, that’s not exactly the case,” he said.
The Bucs have about six weeks to sign Mayfield to an extended deal. The quarterback has a strict deadline.
“As soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff. It’s all ball,” he said.
Playing on a one-year deal in 2023, Mayfield passed for career-highs in yards and touchdowns. That led to his current, three-year contract worth $100 million. Under this deal, the former Heisman Trophy winner threw for a combined 67 touchdowns in 2024 and 2025. After leading Tampa Bay to the playoffs in 2024, the Bucs fell short of the postseason last year.
Regardless of the status of his contract negotiations, Mayfield aims to help the Bucs return to championship contention.
“The guys in that locker room [and] 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. To me, that’s the priority,” he said.
Wide receiver Mike Evans will not be part of that championship effort. He is now with the San Francisco 49ers after playing for the Bucs for 12 seasons.
“There’s no way to sugar-coat it. It’s disappointing to not have him back…I thought he deserved to be a Buc for life,” he said.
Current teammate Bucky Irving was alongside Mayfield Friday morning, overseeing a football camp with approximately 250 kids inside the Bucs’ indoor practice facility. This camp provided local youth, ages seven to 15, with the opportunity to participate in drills and on-field training with Mayfield.
The quarterback enjoyed taking on a coaching role at the camp.
“It’s fun to be on that side of it, just trying to give little tips and pointers,” he said. “I remember going to different football camps as a kid…you hold on and cherish those memories.”
The Bucs hold their final open OTA practice on June 9 and begin the three-day mandatory minicamp on June 16.