When Are Top NFL QBs Eligible for Contract Extensions After Baker Mayfield Deal?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $165 million extension on Tuesday, the largest deal in team history.

It's likely that more quarterback deals are on the horizon, however, as Taylor Bisciotti of NFL Network noted:

Patrick Mahomes once again reset the quarterback market in June when he signed an eight-year restructured deal worth $504.7 million. That deal leads the position in overall value, average annual value ($63 million) and total guaranteed money ($397 million).

Jackson, a two-time MVP and three-time first-team All-Pro, is going to expect to be somewhere in that realm. If Williams, Maye and Daniels all have strong seasons, they could be wading in those waters as well. All four signing extensions next offseason could cause the quarterback market to hit astronomical heights.

Stroud is another conversation entirely.

The 24-year-old looked like a future star after his fantastic rookie season in 2023 (4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions). But his passing yards have declined in both seasons since, while he threw for just 39 touchdowns and 20 interceptions between the two campaigns.

Despite that fact, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported last week that the Texans are "prepared to put Stroud in what it feels is a strong place among the 12 quarterbacks in the $50 million club" but he declined. Fowler added that "several people with knowledge of the situation believe Stroud is prepared to play out this season without a new deal, despite Houston making what it considered a competitive offer."

Given Mayfield's recent extension and the possibility of other mega deals next offseason, a rising quarterback market could mean a bigger payday in the future for Stroud. It doesn't come without risk, however, as much will depend on whether Stroud actually has a bounce-back season.

Finally, Nix probably shouldn't be considered in the realm of Williams, Maye and Daniels when it comes to sheer talent or upside, but it's tough to argue with 7,706 yards, 54 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and a 24-10 record through two seasons.

If the Texans were willing to pay Stroud over $50 million a season, it's hard to imagine Nix getting less than $55 million in AAV, which is where players like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Matt Stafford and now Mayfield, among others, currently sit. Such is the nature of the quarterback market.