The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have removed any doubt about who will be leading their offense for years to come.
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Baker Mayfield and the Bucs agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension that will keep the quarterback in Tampa Bay through the 2029 season, according to multiple reports.
The deal includes $110 million in new guarantees, ESPN reported, in addition to the $40 million Mayfield was already guaranteed for 2026. At $55 million per season, the extension ties Mayfield for the third-highest average annual salary among NFL quarterbacks.
Not bad for a guy who arrived in Tampa Bay in 2023 on a one-year, prove-it deal.
Mayfield and the Buccaneers had broken off negotiations before training camp, and he indicated he was prepared to play out the season without a new agreement. But talks reportedly resumed over the weekend and moved quickly.
"Baker's arrival marked an important new chapter for our organization," Buccaneers owner Joel Glazer said, calling Mayfield the "unquestioned leader" of the franchise.
Glazer added that the deal is the largest contract in team history.
Mayfield, 31, has helped transform his career since arriving in Tampa following stops with the Browns, Panthers and Rams. He led the Buccaneers to consecutive NFC South titles in his first two seasons and a playoff victory in 2023.
Tampa Bay had reportedly offered Mayfield a two-year, $50 million extension earlier in negotiations. His camp declined, believing his performance warranted a larger commitment.
Turns out, waiting worked. Mayfield got the long-term security he wanted, and the Buccaneers made their position pretty clear.
He's not merely their quarterback for now. He's their franchise quarterback.
