The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have undergone quite a bit of change this offseason. While the team has brought in several new players in the wake of the 2026 NFL Draft, several of their veterans have also left for greener pastures this offseason. And if the Bucs aren’t careful, they could also be at risk of losing star quarterback Baker Mayfield in the future.
Mayfield is set to enter the final year of his three-year, $100 million contract with the Bucs, and he appears to be in line for a significant raise. To this point, Tampa Bay hasn’t been able to find common ground on a new deal with Mayfield, but according to general manager Jason Licht, it sounds like this is the top item on the team’s remaining offseason to-do list.
Jason Licht Issues Update on Baker Mayfield Contract Situation
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield endured a slow start to his career, as he struggled to find his footing during stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams. Ever since finding his way to the Bucs, though, Mayfield has turned himself into one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
After putting together a pair of Pro Bowl campaigns in 2023 and 2024, Mayfield wasn’t as effective in 2025 for Tampa. His numbers were still solid (343/543, 3,693 YDS, 26 TD, 11 INT, 55 CAR, 382 YDS, 1 TD), but the team completely collapsed down the stretch, thanks in large part to the offense’s inability to consistently put points on the board.
Still, the Bucs want to keep Mayfield in town, and with there being no guaranteed money left on his current contract, it seems like he is going to need a new contract. Licht knows fans are growing concerned about Mayfield’s contract status, but he made it clear that keeping Mayfield in town is a major priority for the team moving forward.
“Baker is at the forefront of our mind at all times,” Licht said on The Drive with TKras. “All of our plans revolve around Baker. That’s something that we’ll get to at some point. I have had a lot of discussions with Baker about the team. We texted during the draft after some of the picks. I know he was excited about the players that we took. We have a great relationship. And listen, nobody here wants Baker to be playing for any other team, so I’ll just leave it at that.”
Buccaneers Looking to Hammer Out New Contract with Baker Mayfield
GettyBaker Mayfield can anticipate a new contract with the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers have lost guys like wide receiver Mike Evans and running back Rachaad White this offseason, but there is still a plethora of weapons for Mayfield to work with on offense. With a new offensive coaching staff in town, there’s reason to believe that Mayfield and the rest of his teammates will be able to get back on track in 2026.
Technically speaking, the Bucs could wait and see how Mayfield plays next season before making a decision on his contract status, but it seems like this is a deal that all parties want to get finalized as soon as possible. As of right now, there’s nothing to report, but Licht and the rest of the front office are working hard to get a new contract in place for the team’s star quarterback.
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