Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Why Buccaneers should consider re-signing QB Baker Mayfield

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 12/20/23

Quarterback Baker Mayfield has salvaged his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could earn a decent payday this offseason.

The first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft is on a one-year, $4M contract. ESPN NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler think he will be the second-best QB on the market if he enters free agency, ahead of Tennessee's Ryan Tannehill and behind Minnesota's Kirk Cousins.

"Of these three, he's the likeliest bet to hit free agency as someone who looks like a clear starter for a team next season," wrote Graziano. "If he finishes 2023 strong, I could see him getting a really nice contract somewhere — maybe even in Tampa Bay."

Tampa Bay re-signing him might be the right move. He's a reason the Buccaneers (7-7) could make their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Through 14 games, he's tied for eighth in the league in passing TDs (24), is ninth in passer rating (94.7) and 13th in passing yards (3,315).

He was also named NFC Offensive Player of the Week Wednesday after he became the second QB (and first visitor) in Lambeau Field history to record a perfect passer rating (158.3).

Your NFC Offensive Player of the Week ‍ pic.twitter.com/BOhYefPPHx
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 20, 2023

The organization can afford to give him a new contract. Spotrac estimates it will have $47.06M in cap space in 2024, and Mayfield's market value is a two-year deal worth $16.5M annually.

Fowler noted he's not a player who can carry a franchise, as Tampa Bay is 0-4 when Mayfield attempts 35 or more passes. The Buccaneers could draft a QB, such as Michigan's J.J. McCarthy or Oregon's Bo Nix, to serve as a successor.

Regardless, he deserves credit for turning his career around. As of Wednesday, oddschecker places him within its top 10 Comeback Player of the Year odds.

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