Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has shown the ability to provide steady play in running the Bucs’ offense during his time with the team.
There are contract discussions in the future, though. Mayfield has not been paid like other NFL starting quarterbacks, so he is looking for a payday. What, though, does that mean when he’s talking with Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht?
NFL Insider Offers Baker Mayfield Contract Update
On Monday, ESPN NFL reporter Jeff Darlington appeared on “NFL Live” on ESPN, where he talked with Mina Kimes, Laura Rutledge, and other members of the show.
Darlington offered some clarity on what’s going on at this time between Mayfield and Buccaneers management.
“This is probably among the more interesting negotiations,” Darlington noted.
“We’re on the eve of training camp, which Baker Mayfield has implied is his deadline. That he doesn’t want to negotiate this deal once that occurs, but there’s some nuance in play here that makes this especially interesting.
“Jason Licht, the general manager of the Bucs, is one of the few GMs in the NFL who’s really good at getting deals done in person,” Darlington continued. “I think this is a little behind-the-scenes type of stuff. He’s like one of these authentic guys.”
“Baker Mayfield wants to get paid. Bucs GM Jason Licht has gotten him at a bargain to this point – and now we’re taking about upwards of $50 million.”@JeffDarlington on Baker’s training camp deadline for a new contract.
🎥: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/iGk5upprt1
— SleeperBucs (@SleeperTBBUCS) July 27, 2026
This is the final season of Mayfield’s contract with a $10 million base salary and a $17 million roster bonus.
“He gets in the room with the player,” Darlington said. “He can really show him what he means to the organization and how he’s going to fit, with the money obviously critical. And the other interesting fact here is that Licht wants it.
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“I don’t think there’s any question there,” Darlington continued. “Baker Mayfield, though, wants to get paid and has felt disrespected over the past few years, not from the Bucs specifically.”
According to the PFSN NFL QB Metric, which are measured through the regular season, Mayfield finished the 2025 NFL season with a quarterback grade of 74.4. He threw for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and had a 63.2% completion percentage. Mayfield also was sacked 36 times, not getting much help from the Bucs’ offensive line.
“Licht has gotten him at a bargain to this point, and now we are talking upwards of $50 million,” he continued. “Think about it. The Bucs, since Jameis Winston on a rookie contract, Tom Brady on a sweetheart deal, and then Baker Mayfield on the discount rack?”
Mayfield played his first four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns and one season with the Carolina Panthers. He’s entering his fourth season playing for the Buccaneers in 2026.
“The Bucs have not had to pay a quarterback,” Darlington pointed out. “Licht’s going to have to come to terms with that. He knows it. I do think this eventually gets done.”
With the Buccaneers’ training camp opening on Tuesday, July 28, the clock is definitely ticking toward a new deal, or not, with Mayfield.
