NFL Rumors: Baker Mayfield, Bucs Have Not Had Substantive Contract Talks Recently

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not had "substantive" contract talks as of late, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

"There have not been substantive contract talks recently," Garafolo said on Sunday. "There will be as we get closer to the start of free agency. He played for just under $7 million last year, Mayfield did, but the price is going to go way up."

Mayfield exceeded expectations during his first year in Tampa Bay, earning the first Pro Bowl nod of his career while leading the Buccaneers to the divisional round of the playoffs.

The 28-year-old completed 64.3 percent of his throws while starting in all 17 regular-season games, racking up 4,044 yards and a career-high 28 touchdown passes to go along with just 10 interceptions.

Given his impressive bounceback campaign, teams in need of a consistent option under center will likely be very interested in Mayfield as he's set to enter free agency. However, the former No. 1 overall pick discussed the "mutual interest" between himself and the Buccaneers in an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.

"The ball is in [Tampa Bay's] court right now," said Mayfield. "I've been vocal about the mutual interest. I was very appreciative of the opportunity I had there. How they run the organization, everything they're all about, how do we put our guys in the best position possible to win, I've been vocal about that."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport revealed on Thursday that a potential opportunity for both sides to work on a reunion is the franchise tag window, which opens on Feb. 20 and runs through March 5. He also noted that the Buccaneers could use the franchise tag number to figure out a long-term contract for Mayfield.

Although the two sides have reportedly been quiet in contract talks, they could ramp up very quickly in the near future in order to keep the six-year veteran in Tampa Bay.