Baker Mayfield Responds to Injury Concerns Amid Bucs Contract Extension Talks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield doesn't believe that injury concerns should factor into discussions regarding a potential contract extension with the team.

"I started every game last year … the last three years," Mayfield said, per ESPN's Jenna Laine. "I don't know if that should ever be a question."

The signal-caller also revealed that no progress has been made in recent weeks during negotiations and both sides are "not anywhere close on a new contract," via Laine.

"No, pretty much the same, but for me, like I told you guys, it's not going to affect how I approach this," Mayfield said. "Things will happen when they should, but for now I'm worried about getting better each day, finishing minicamp and finishing this offseason program the right way, going into training camp. Just handling it one day at a time."

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times previously reported the Buccaneers were concerned about Mayfield's health despite the fact that he hasn't missed a game since joining the team in 2023.

Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay's head coach, also explained why Mayfield's style of play can occasionally put him at risk of getting hurt.

"The thing that will get us to the Super Bowl with him — obviously everybody has got to stay healthy — but the main thing is not turning the ball over and sometimes checking it down and understanding when he gets out of the pocket — he makes some great scrambles — but understanding how to get down and putting himself out of harm's way," Bowles said, per Stroud.

Mayfield has one season remaining on a three-year, $100 million contract that he signed with the Buccaneers in 2024.

The 31-year-old will have a $40 million cap hit during his 2026 campaign before hitting free agency in 2027 (via Spotrac).

While Mayfield played all 17 regular-season games last year, Laine noted that he appeared on the team's injury report in 10 out of 18 total weeks due to several health issues.

The Buccaneers opened their 2025 campaign with a 6-2 record, but lost seven of their final nine games to finish at 8-9 and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Mayfield excelled over the first eight games of the year, completing 63.9 percent of his throws for 1,919 yards and 13 touchdowns compared to a mere two interceptions.

He also rushed for 158 yards.

Across Tampa Bay's final nine games, he completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 1,774 yards and 13 touchdowns while getting picked off nine times.

While Mayfield might have been affected by injuries throughout the second half of the season, the veteran passer doesn't seem to have any concerns regarding his health moving forward as he seeks an extension.