Baker Mayfield didn’t have much of a market when free agency opened up last spring, signing a one-year deal worth $4 million guaranteed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That’s set to change in 2024, as after putting up numbers which earned him the first Pro Bowl nod of his career, Mayfield is expected to be in high demand. The Buccaneers, whom Mayfield led to an NFC South title and playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles, will seek to retain the 28-year-old, but at what cost?
Jenna Laine of ESPN offered her insight into the situation Wednesday, saying that the contract the Seattle Seahawks handed out to Geno Smith this past offseason could serve as a blueprint for Mayfield’s next deal. Smith signed a three-year deal worth $105 million with Seattle.
“With multiple high-profile free agents in the mix, I’m signing Mayfield to an extension and keeping my franchise tag options open for safety Antoine Winfield Jr. or receiver Mike Evans,” Laine wrote. “Using Geno Smith‘s deal from last offseason as a template but factoring in some cap inflation, I’m doing three years and $80 million with escalators that can bolster the contract up over $100 million. Mayfield will be 29 years old when next season kicks off (Smith signed his new deal last year at age 32), has two playoff wins under his belt and threw for 4,000 yards this past season.
“The Bucs will have salary cap space in the $40 million to $50 million range and can absorb this through void years — or they can backload the deal, as the Seahawks did with Smith. The length of the contract provides enough stability to be more than a bridge deal but gives all parties some degree of flexibility, considering Mayfield has had some injury issues.”
Baker Mayfield wants Mike Evans back in Tampa Bay in 2024
Mayfield is coming off his best season as a pro, throwing for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 64.3% passing. His passer rating of 94.6 was the second highest of his career.
Mayfield’s favorite target, Mike Evans, is also an unrestricted free agent. Evans, who recorded his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard season, failed to come to terms on an extension with Tampa Bay before the season. Mayfield made it clear that if he returns to the Buccaneers, he wants Evans to come back with him.
“He makes my life easy. Did all year. He did it today, over and over,” Mayfield said earlier this month, via Bailey Adams of Pewter Report. “To get everybody back, there have to be sacrifices made. This team’s about winning. We have a group of guys who are all about that. If I’m back, I want Mike back.”
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