Buccaneers co-owner makes feelings on possible Baker Mayfield extension clear

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield agreed to a three-year contract in March 2024, so one would think that Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht should look to lock Mayfield down via an extension this offseason before the 30-year-old gets even more expensive. 

However, there is no indication as of the opening day of April that Mayfield is close to putting pen to paper on a deal. During a recent chat with the JoeBucsFan website, Buccaneers co-owner Joel Glazer suggested he will be ready to show Mayfield the money if Licht is truly eager to work something out before the 2026 season gets underway. 

Paying Baker Mayfield wouldn't "hurt" for Buccaneers ownership

"That doesn’t hurt at all to write that check," Glazer said about the money that likely would be attached to a Mayfield extension. "It’s something that all the teams do if you have a good quarterback." 

A March report shared that Mayfield realistically "could corral the biggest contract in NFL history" if he plays well during the 2026 season and is then permitted to reach free agency. That said, the Buccaneers could keep Mayfield on the terms of his current deal while knowing that they could later retain his rights for 2027 via the franchise tag, if necessary. 

Is Joel Glazer all-in on having Baker Mayfield as the Buccaneers' QB1?

Questions about Mayfield's short- and long-term futures will hover over the Buccaneers unless he signs a noteworthy extension at some point this spring or summer. On Tuesday, Glazer was asked if he is "all on board" with having Mayfield as the club's starter beyond the 2026 campaign. 

"Oh, absolutely," Glazer responded. "Absolutely. I mean, he’s gone above and beyond anything we could have asked or hoped of Baker. Everybody loves him. He performs on the field, gives 250 percent when he’s on that field. And that’s all you can ask."

Mayfield's camp understandably may see dollar signs upon reading or hearing Glazer's comments. It's unclear if Mayfield would give the Buccaneers any type of discount to stay with what's been his NFL home since March 2023, as he may have some questions regarding the state of the franchise after longtime Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans left the club to join the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.