Insider shares update on Bucs, Baker Mayfield contract situation

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield raised eyebrows when he said that the 2 sides are “not anyplace shut” to placing pen to paper on a contract extension. 

Mayfield is within the ultimate yr of the three-year deal he signed in March 2024. On Monday morning, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports activities Illustrated defined why Tampa Bay followers should not but panic in regards to the scenario involving the membership’s QB1. 

Are Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield more likely to get one thing achieved this summer season? 

“Essentially the most fundamental piece of the looming negotiation…is that the quarterback needs to be in Tampa, and the Bucs need Mayfield as their beginning quarterback for the foreseeable future,” Breer wrote. “More often than not, when these two circumstances exist at that exact place, a deal will get labored out. That is as a result of having your quarterback in place and underneath contract is just too vital for these concerned to not discover a decision.” 

It was beforehand reported that the Buccaneers “intend” to get an extension achieved with Mayfield earlier than the 2026 season will get underway. In the meantime, Mayfield mentioned on Friday that he would “love” to stick with Tampa Bay. 

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Occasions urged that the Buccaneers and Mayfield’s camp weren’t concerned in energetic conversations, because the membership hasn’t “made a counteroffer” because the group’s preliminary proposal. Breer added extra data. 

“The Buccaneers lately despatched Mayfield’s camp an preliminary provide to kick off talks,” Breer mentioned. “Mayfield’s group, led by agent Tom Mills, has but to reply. Which is why that is nonetheless a ‘looming’ set of negotiations. Technically talking, there was no negotiation but.”

What might it price Buccaneers to maintain Baker Mayfield?

Breer spoke with brokers who mentioned “that the baseline ought to be $50M per yr over the primary three years of the deal, and a new-money APY (which is how most offers are publicly measured) greater than that” for Mayfield’s extension. Breer additionally insisted that “it’s a reasonably good guess” that the Buccaneers will ultimately make Mayfield glad. 

Mayfield insisted on Friday that he doesn’t need contract negotiations to pull on by way of the beginning of coaching camp in late July. Nevertheless, Breer is amongst those that assume Mayfield would put pen to paper on a deal if the signal-caller acquired what he needs from the Buccaneers in August or early September.