Baker Mayfield Contract Talks, Timeline for Deal Updated by Bucs GM After NFL Draft

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht says extension talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield is something he plans to "get to at some point."

Licht was asked in a Tuesday appearance on The Drive with TKras by 95.7 WDAE whether the team had started discussing a new contract with Mayfield.

"Baker is at the forefront of our mind at all times," Licht answered around the 17:15 mark. "All of our plans revolve around Baker, and that's something that we'll get to at some point."

"I have had a lot of discussions with Baker about the team. We texted during the draft... we have a great relationship, and listen, nobody here wants Baker to be playing for any other team. So, I'll just leave it at that."

Mayfield is currently set to play the 2026 season on an expiring contract as he heads into the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal.

Licht also declined to provide any estimates as to when the Bucs might finalize a contract with Mayfield when asked about contract negotiations in March.

"Baker is still our quarterback. He's one of the toughest guys on the team. He's a great leader. Everything kind of revolves around the quarterback spot," Licht said about Mayfield in late March, per the AP's Rob Maaddi. "At some point, I'm sure we'll figure something out. There's no timetable on that."

Buccaneers co-owner Joel Glazer then indicated during NFL's owner meetings later that month he will be willing to pay Mayfield when the time comes.

"Obviously the quarterback is the highest paid position on the team, rightfully so," Glazer said, per Pewter Report's Matt Matera. "That means that it's going good, so if the quarterback's making top money, then your team is probably doing well and the quarterbacks performing well. That's obviously a key component to success.

"That doesn't hurt at all to write that check, it's something that all the teams do when you have good quarterbacks."

Mayfield is projected by Spotrac to sign a four-year, $214 million deal with an average annual salary of $53.6 million.

Only five quarterbacks are set to earn more than that average salary in 2026, per Over the Cap.

Mayfield put together a stellar first half of the 2025 season for the Bucs, but struggled while playing through multiple injuries down the stretch as his team ultimately missed the playoffs.

Glazer defended his choice to retain head coach Todd Bowles this offseason by pointing to injuries to Mayfield and other players as the reason for his team's late-season collapse, per Matera.

The Bucs' level of faith that Mayfield will be able to bounce back with a healthier age-31 season could determine what their contract negotiations ultimately look like this summer.