Baker Mayfield slammed the brakes on his contract extension talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when his self-imposed deadline hit back on July 28. Turns out, the Bucs put a sweet two-year deal on the table worth “slightly more than $100 million,” but it wasn’t enough to get it done. This isn’t just about the money, though, it’s about the kind of commitment Mayfield is demanding heading into a make-or-break season.
Mayfield Wants More Than Just Cash
Mayfield wasn’t just chasing a paycheck, he was “adamant about a longer commitment.” And honestly, who can blame him? The guy knows his market. There were also “structural issues” with the offer, especially with the guarantees being “insufficient.” We’re talking about a quarterback looking for long-term security, and that’s a reasonable demand consistent with what other guys are getting. Seriously, Matthew Stafford, who’s 38 years old, is the only quarterback out there pulling an average of $50 million a year with fewer than four new years on his deal. Stafford snagged a one-year extension for $55 million per year. The Buccaneers’ offer would have placed Mayfield among the NFL’s five highest-paid quarterbacks, putting him right up there with names like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, and Jordan Love, all making around $55 million annually. Only Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott are in that exclusive $60 million-per-year club. So, the money was there, but the length and the guarantees? That’s where things got sticky.
The Clock is Ticking for Tampa Bay
Here’s the kicker: despite wanting a longer deal, Mayfield’s camp was reportedly open to a two-year extension! NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo dropped that on August 20, saying Mayfield’s side even countered the Bucs with their own two-year proposal before everything broke down. Right now, Mayfield is playing on the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract he inked in March 2024, averaging $33,333,333 per year. He’s making $40 million this season, a nice $10 million base salary plus a hefty $30 million roster bonus that was paid on June 15. Forget any reports saying he’s making $27 million, that’s just some cap accounting wizardry from an April 2025 restructure. The man got his full $30 million.
The ball is firmly in Mayfield’s court. His camp has to be the one to initiate new talks if there’s any hope of getting a deal done. Why? Because of his own self-imposed deadline. With the Buccaneers’ regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals coming up fast on September 13, you have to wonder if they can afford to head into Week 1 with this contract cloud still hanging over their franchise quarterback. It’s a huge gamble for everyone involved, and the tension is definitely building.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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