Baker Mayfield, Bucs 'Not Anywhere Close' On New Contract

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Baker Mayfield, Bucs 'Not Anywhere Close' On New Contract

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Luke Easterling | Last updated Jun 5, 2026 2:27 PM ET

Baker Mayfield is heading into his fourth season as the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it might be his last.

There's just one year left on the three-year deal Mayfield signed with the Bucs following the 2023 season, and training camp is fast approaching without a long-term extension in place. Mayfield's contract situation is one of the biggest questions still looming over franchise as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 campaign.

Speaking to reporters from his youth football camp at the Bucs' team facility Friday, Mayfield made it clear how much he wants to stay in Tampa, but admitted the two sides are "not anywhere close" on a new long-term deal.

"We've built roots here in Tampa," Mayfield said (via Fox Sports' Greg Auman). "We love the community. We love being here. They've embraced us, and we enjoy being here...the contract stuff, it's happening, it's starting, the talks and whatnot. Not anywhere close to what we were thinking, so...would love to be here long-term, and as of right now, that's not exactly the case."

Baker Mayfield was stellar in 2024, but struggled with injuries and inconsistency down the stretch in 2025. (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

After Tom Brady's retirement following the 2022 season, the Bucs signed Mayfield to a cheap one-year deal to see if he could still be a successful starter after bouncing between three teams (all of whom are on Tampa Bay's 2026 schedule) over the previous two seasons. His impressive performance convinced the team to give him a three-year deal worth up to $100 million. His 2024 campaign was the best of his career (4,500 yards passing, 41 touchdown passes), but injuries and inconsistency plagued him throughout the second half of the 2025 season, as the Bucs lost seven of their last eight games and missed the playoffs.

Mayfield now heads into the 2026 season without any long-term security beyond this year, putting himself back in "prove it" territory.

"I'm under contract for 2026," Mayfield said. "The guys in that locker room, the staff know that I'm still gonna be me. I'm still gonna 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."

With a clear focus on the task at hand, Mayfield has a deadline in place for getting a new deal done, after which he wants to have all of his attention on the field.

"Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done," Mayfield said. "They know my deadline. As soon as training camp starts, we're not doing any contract stuff. It's all ball. So, it's not up to me when that gets done by. So, hopefully before that. If not, we're still gonna have a good year."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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