Bucs' Baker Mayfield Has Another 'Prove-It' Year Ahead For 1 Major Reason

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not expect much when they initially signed Baker Mayfield. Many thought that the former first-round pick fallen from grace would bridge the franchise for one season to their next franchise face. 

Instead, Mayfield has far and away exceeded what the Bucs had in mind for him. His play in 2023 helped them maintain control of the NFC South a year after legendary quarterback Tom Brady retired. 

That earned him a three-year extension but it did not satiate him in any way. Last season, Mayfield garnered some early MVP buzz that ultimately settled into what was still the best campaign of his career. 

This goes without Mention that Mayfield has experienced multiple offensive coordinator changes in his short Tampa Bay tenure. 4,000 yards in each season coupled with a tally of 69 touchdowns shows that the Bucs have a reliable leader under center. 

So what does this mean for his future? Mayfield, age 30, has a unique journey hard to compare with other quarterbacks in the league. Usually, a first-round pick that drowns early one resigns to life as a backup in the league. 

But Mayfield has surpassed the norm and may have a case for an even bigger pay day in the coming years. This will be the second season in that extension he previously signed, so there is much to gain for the Bucs quarterback. 

Another year with the numbers he has produced the last two times out will almost certainly demand a major contract extension. Mayfield may not reset the market with his next deal, but there will be an argument from his side to get his due. 

Tampa Bay has decent cap flexibility through the coming years. Depending on the years and salary, that could come into question. Regardless, it puts Mayfield in a similar situation. 

The last two years, he has been under the gun to "prove it" when the Bucs took a one-year flier on him. Mayfield then had to back that up and show why he deserved the extension he is playing under now.

This time, the stakes are even higher as the Bucs quarterback has a chance to land big money in a fashion not thought possible by anyone a few years ago. 

It's another challenge for Mayfield. But if the last two years, he has shown he thrives under such conditions. And if that remains the case, the focus turns back on his team with a suddenly major decision to work through.