Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield wants to play for and with the Bucs, but apparently contract extension negotiations are not exactly to his liking right now.
Mayfield held his youth football camp on Friday morning at the Bucs’ indoor facility where he fielded questions from local media for the first time this offseason. When his contract year was brought up, Mayfield did not mince words about how far the gap is with the team in terms of overall discussions.
Baker Mayfield And Bucs Are Nowhere Close In Negotiations
“The contract stuff – it’s happening, it’s starting – talks and whatnot,” Baker Mayfield began. “Not anywhere close to what we were thinking. Would love to be here long term, but as of right now that’s not exactly the case. But I’m under contract for 2026. 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. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today
Mayfield is entering his fourth season with the Bucs. At the time when he first signed in Tampa Bay, each side was in a different place. Mayfield was looking to revive his career while Tampa Bay was looking for a successor to Tom Brady that can keep this ship afloat. Both Mayfield and the team accomplished their goals as and combined for two division titles and a playoff win, which came in 2023, which was Mayfield’s first year in red and pewter.
And that leads us all to the situation everybody is in currently. This is the least year of Mayfield’s contract, and the Bucs are too good to start all over at quarterback. Mayfield can easily get at worst $50 million per season on the open market, but Tampa Bay doesn’t also want to fall into a spot like other teams have, such as the Cowboys giving $60 million per year to Dak Prescott and not even reaching the postseason.
The sides are far apart, but Mayfield doesn’t have any bitterness to the Bucs’ front office. He continued to show appreciation for them and the city while also also standing his ground.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“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 going to raise kids here. They know who I am. They know it doesn’t matter what the contract is, that’s not going to change my work ethic, the leadership aspect of it, what I try to bring to the guys, trying to elevate everybody.”
“Yes, there’s helpful things when it comes to negotiating, but at the same time it really comes down to you’re worried about giving somebody that much money that it’s going to change them, it’s going to change how they show up every day in the building,” Mayfield said. “And for me, that’s not the case. They helped me out, but I think I did the same (for them) as well. So it’s time to get something done long term, I would love to get to be here long term,
Baker Mayfield Sets Contract Extension Deadline For Bucs
The other big reveal from Baker Mayfield is that he has set a deadline for when extension negotiations will end. The Bucs have up until training camp to get a deal done before he primary focus shifts to the 2026 season.
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield on a potential contract extension with Tampa Bay:
“The contract stuff – it’s happening it’s starting. Not anywhere close to what we were thinking. Would love to be here long term, but as of right now that’s not exactly the case.
“I’m under contract for… pic.twitter.com/uFHXkfK2DF
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) June 5, 2026
“Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done, but they know my deadline,” Mayfield said. As soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff. It’s all ball. It’s not up to me when that gets done by. Hopefully before that, but if not – still going to have a good year.”