Baker Mayfield's Return to Bucs on New Contract Backed by HC, GM Ahead of NFL FA

A growing body of evidence points toward quarterback Baker Mayfield's return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles both said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine they hope to retain the 2023 Pro Bowler.

Earlier this month, Mayfield told ESPN's Jenna Laine the Bucs reached out to him for his input on Liam Coen, who was briefly his offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and ultimately hired for the same role in Tampa Bay this offseason.

"It's a great sign," he said. "So that, that was a first for me to be involved in or just asked about any involvement with that. So I was excited about that, but we'll see. Obviously I want to be back there. I think it's mutual, so we'll see what happens. But, yeah, one day at a time."

Last offseason, Mayfield faced an uncertain future following a disappointing spell with the Carolina Panthers and a nondescript second half with the Rams. He only managed to get a one-year contract from the Buccaneers with no firm assurances on whether he'd be the Week 1 starter.

Now, the 28-year-old is poised to cash in. He's one of the best quarterbacks hitting the open market after setting career highs in passing yards (4,044), touchdowns (28) and completion rate (64.3 percent).

When Laine reported Tampa Bay was unable to agree to a long-term extension with star wide receiver Mike Evans ahead of the 2023 season, it sounded as though the organization was shifting toward a reset after going all in for a title for three years with Tom Brady.

"The Glazer family, who own the Buccaneers, signed off on the franchise borrowing nearly $100 million from the future to support a Tom Brady Super Bowl run for three seasons, which has meant limited resources with the salary cap as they try to rebuild," Laine wrote last September.

Making the playoffs for a fourth straight year might have shifted the ownership's priorities a bit. Re-signing Mayfield won't come cheap, but that's the best path for the team if it wants to keep contending.