‘Everybody Loves Him’: Buccaneers Set to Extend Baker Mayfield

It’s been nearly three years since Baker Mayfield found new life with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, he heads into the final year of his contract after delivering his least effective season with the team.

Owner Joel Glazer made it clear the organization still stands firmly behind him.

“He’s gone above and beyond anything we could’ve asked or hoped for Baker,” via Pewter Report. “Everybody loves him, performs, gives 250 percent when he’s on that field and that’s all you can ask for.”

After back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in 2023–24, Mayfield totaled 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions—his lowest yardage and touchdown output in Tampa Bay, though still solid overall.

After leading Tampa Bay to a 6–2 start, Baker Mayfield saw his performance dip as injuries mounted. He didn’t miss a game, but was a constant presence on the injury report with foot, toe, biceps, knee, oblique, and shoulder issues. A lingering injury to his non-throwing shoulder appeared to have the biggest impact, as he went from early MVP buzz to posting 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions over the final eight games, after throwing 16 scores with just two picks in his first nine.

Former teammate Lavonte David recently identified those injuries as the root of Baker Mayfield’s struggles. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers failing to capture the NFC South or reach the playoffs for the first time in his stint, the 2025 campaign was a major disappointment.

Despite last season’s setbacks, Mayfield is due for a pay bump, as his $33.3 million annual average ranks just 16th in the league and trails well behind the 10 quarterbacks earning over $50 million per year.

Joel Glazer typically leaves those decisions in the hands of general manager Jason Licht.

“That’s part of Jason’s planning and everything,” Glazer said. “I know Jason’s looking at it all. It’s a constant thing that you look at. There are a time and a place for everything and everything always takes care of itself.”

Originally selected first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield was traded to the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2022 season. His stint in Charlotte proved short-lived and largely unsuccessful, leading to a brief stop with the Los Angeles Rams before hitting free agency again. After bouncing around the league, he ultimately landed in Tampa Bay when Jason Licht and the Buccaneers signed him following Tom Brady’s retirement.

Signed to a one-year “prove-it” deal, Mayfield surpassed 4,000 passing yards for the first time in his career in 2023, earning himself a multi-year extension with Tampa Bay.

Mayfield has positioned himself for a well-earned, more lucrative extension.

“Obviously the quarterback is the highest-paid position on the team, rightfully so,” Glazer stared. “That means that it’s going good, so if the quarterback’s making top money, then your team is probably doing well and the quarterbacks performing well. That’s obviously a key component to success. That doesn’t hurt at all to write that check, it’s something that all the teams do when you have good quarterbacks.”

The BR Rub 

Mayfield has averaged 4,000 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his three years in Tampa. Read that again. Now factor in Lavonte David’s comments about how hurt Mayfield was last season and those numbers are more impressive. At the least you’d think it would quiet some of his critics following 2025.

But this is the era of everybody having a hot-take and spending significant time making sure we all hear it. According to those same hot-takers, Tom Brady had three of the most prolific seasons as a Buccaneer during his time. Brady’s numbers were, 4,600 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions per season. Yes, Brady’s numbers are slightly better, but Mayfield has done this with three different offensive coordinators and a roster less talented.

So yes, Mayfield deserves and should get that extension. Unless you think Brady is walking out of that tunnel.