Baker Mayfield has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers valued at $165 million. This move keeps him from heading into free agency, altering the team’s future plans.
The annual average of $55 million ties Mayfield with quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, and Matthew Stafford, making him one of the league’s highest-paid players.
The decision to offer Mayfield this lucrative contract demonstrates the team’s confidence in his abilities. Mayfield has been a pivotal player for the Bucs, with a record of 95 touchdown passes in 51 starts.
Whether Mayfield deserves to be in the same salary stratosphere as players like Burrow and Allen is not the main issue. The Buccaneers believe in his worth.
Initially, the situation seemed to be moving in a different direction. At the beginning of training camp, there was tension between Mayfield and the team. He was not satisfied with the initial offer and spoke of a self-imposed deadline for reaching a new deal, suggesting he might test free agency.
The narrative that Mayfield could play better under pressure seemed possible as the season approached. However, those dynamics changed quickly when the Bucs resumed negotiations, disregarding the previous deadline.
Eventually, Mayfield agreed to the terms when the Buccaneers presented him with an appealing offer. This contract ensures he remains in a familiar environment where he and his family feel comfortable, without the risk of entering the free agency market in 2027.
Reporter Armando Salguero, an OutKick Senior NFL Writer, covers the latest updates on Mayfield and other developments in the NFL.
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