Baker Mayfield has resurrected his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signing a three-year, $100 million contract ahead of the 2024 season. He’s made consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and is an MVP favorite, leading the Bucs to a 5-1 record through six games while completing 66.2% of his passes for 1,539 yards, 12 touchdowns and just one interception. But with Mayfield having only one year left on his deal after this season, when will an extension get done?

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reveals it won’t happen until after the season, despite Mayfield’s MVP-caliber play.

“Baker Mayfield, an early MVP front-runner, has one year remaining on his contract after 2025. And I’m told any extension talks will happen after the season, giving Mayfield space to focus on his third year in Tampa and the Bucs time to evaluate what’s next,” Russini reports.

Mayfield Has Transformed Buccaneers Post-Brady

Baker Mayfield and Tom BradyCredit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

It’s a testament to Mayfield that he’s in this position after being unceremoniously dumped by the Cleveland Browns and bouncing between the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before settling in Tampa Bay.

Mayfield has helped transform the Buccaneers after taking over for the legendary Tom Brady. Through 40 games since 2023, he has guided the team to a 24-16 record and two playoff appearances.

“We wanted a tougher team,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told Russini. “And holy s—, did that happen. He’s still the last quarterback to win a playoff game for the Browns — and he was pretty damn close to winning two. The day we signed him, I went to my favorite dive bar to get wings. I called him from there. Looking back, it feels like the perfect setting — because I’ve always said he’s a man of the people, not about flash.”

It seems like it’s a matter of when — not if — an extension gets done. And with the way Mayfield has been performing, he’s positioned for a significant payday.

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Matt Higgins worked in national and local news for 15 years. He started out as an overnight production assistant … More about Matt Higgins