Should The Buccaneers Extend Baker Mayfield’s Contract?

After a monster 2023 season, the Buccaneers inked Baker Mayfield to a lucrative contract. And in 2024, he delivered a career year, blowing past expectations. With another strong season looming in 2025, the question becomes: is Mayfield’s current play exceeding the value of his contract?

Mayfield’s 3-year, $100 million contract included $50 million in guarantees, giving the Buccaneers flexibility if he struggled in 2024. Instead, he dominated, throwing 41 touchdowns and capturing another division title. With another year under his belt, if Mayfield keeps playing at an elite level, the discussion will increasingly focus on whether his contract accurately reflects his value to the team.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently evaluated potential overreactions heading into the season, including whether Baker Mayfield’s impending free agency would net him a massive payday. Graziano’s conclusion: it’s not an overreaction at all. In fact, he thinks Mayfield’s performance makes him a strong contender for an extension after the 2025 season.

“The Buccaneers have won the NFC South four years in a row — twice with Tom Brady and twice with Mayfield. The year before that streak started, they won the Super Bowl from a wild-card spot. Tampa Bay has quietly been one of the most consistently good teams in spite of tons of changes, and Mayfield’s career resurgence has been a major reason for that. The Bucs got him for next to nothing before the 2023 season, then rewarded him with a three-year, $100 million contract prior to the 2024 season.”

Graziano continued,

“After this year, Mayfield will have one year and $27 million left on his deal. He’s only 30 years old, and if he leads the Bucs to a fifth straight division title with yet another new offensive coordinator, you have to believe he’ll be in line for an even bigger extension this time around,” Graziano stated. “Mayfield found a home in Tampa Bay and has been consistently productive since he got there. The Bucs deserve to be the division favorites. And if they win it again, Mayfield will have a strong case for a big raise.”

Currently, Baker Mayfield ranks 17th among NFL quarterbacks in total contract value. However, Seattle’s Sam Darnold recently surpassed him after signing a $100.5 million deal. Notably, two QBs above Mayfield on the list – Deshaun Watson and Kirk Cousins – aren’t even starting this season. Meanwhile, Mayfield led the league in completion percentage last year, finished third in passing yards, and second in touchdowns, making his contract look like a bargain.

The BR Rub 

With several other key players potentially due for extensions in 2026, the Buccaneers might prioritize those deals. However, if Baker Mayfield continues to play at an elite level, his contract value will come under scrutiny. The disparity between his performance and compensation might become too significant to overlook. We say, lock him up now before the market gets any higher.