Bucs Plan to Cut Baker Mayfield?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 10, 2025 1:11 AM ET

Since arriving with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quarterback Baker Mayfield has produced two of his best seasons of football since entering the league.

Back-to-back division titles, playoff appearances, and Pro Bowl nods, Mayfield is finally settled in the NFL, and his play is reflecting that.

However, this doesn't mean there aren't skeptics, and we have found one in the Bleacher Report, who has an odd take surrounding Mayfield and his future with the franchise.

"Baker Mayfield probably can’t afford to throw 16 interceptions again like he did last season," Bleacher Report writes. "If he doesn’t become more consistent and reliable in 2025, the Bucs could bite the financial bullet and move on."

Mayfield is coming off his best-ever season in 2024, after throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns and yes, 16 interceptions, and he led the franchise that was crippled by injuries back to the postseason with a superb second-half of the season.

As for the "more consistent" chat here, since arriving in Tampa, Mayfield, when ranked against all other quarterbacks is second in passing yards (8,544), seventh in completion percentage (67.9), eighth in yards per game (251.3), first in touchdowns (69) and seventh in passer rating (100.7).

That feels consistent to us.

Playoffs will be where Mayfield needs to earn his respect. In 2023, he pushed the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round, but was one-and-done last season, losing to the Washington Commanders.

As for the "financial bullet," if the Buccaneers cut Mayfield after June 1 next offseason, they will save $27 million and only eat $11 million per Over The Cap, so the Buccaneers aren't exactly in a bad spot with his contract either.

Mayfield has built up a lot of credits since arriving in Tampa, and we think it will take a whole lot more than 16 interceptions for the franchise to consider moving on from him.

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

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