Baker Mayfield Contract, Mike Evans Free Agency Discussed by Bucs GM Jason Licht at NFL Combine

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht provided updates on contract negotiations with quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans ahead of the 2026 NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Licht declined to give a timeline as to when he will consider extending Mayfield's contract past the 2026 season, per Fox Sports' Greg Auman.

"Our thoughts on Baker haven't changed," Licht told reporters, per Auman.

Mayfield is currently signed at a 2026 cap hit of just below $53 million and is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency ahead of the 2027 campaign, per Spotrac.

Licht expressed more urgency around working out a new contract for Evans, who is currently set to hit free agency when the league year begins March 11.

The Bucs general manager said he has plans to meet with Evans' agent Deryk Gilmore in Indianapolis, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

"Yeah, love Mike, and we love to have Mike back... and Mike as a person, what he's meant to this entire community, fan base, all of us, I could go on and on, which we have," Licht said, per Stroud.

Licht also said he feels Evans has "earned the right" to test free agency after becoming the Bucs' all-time leader in ever major receiving category, per Stroud.

Player agent Deryk Gilmore recently told ESPN's Jenna Laine that Evans planned to return for a 13th NFL season after missing most of the 2025 season with collarbone and hamstring injuries.

Laine reported that Evans wanted "to hear the team's plans for 2026" after a streak of five straight playoff berths, highlighted by a Super Bowl XXXVII win, ended this winter.

She also reported, however, that Evans "likes the makeup of the locker room," including Mayfield and the Bucs' other receivers.

The Bucs fired Josh Grizzard after one year as offensive coordinator in January and brought in Zac Robinson as a replacement.

Licht could hope those staffing changes and a potential bounce-back campaign from Mayfield will convince Evans the Buccaneers are enough of a contender to return to for his age-33 season.