Quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke to the press on Thursday morning and shared his feelings about the situation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He said he felt disrespected by the team after his self-imposed deadline passed without a new contract being reached. Despite the tone of his comments, Mayfield did not completely rule out the possibility of a deal being made before the season begins. However, considering his strong statements, it appears a resolution is unlikely at this point.
Mayfield explained that he had set a firm deadline for negotiations and clearly communicated his expectations. He emphasized that he wanted to finalize a deal and made it clear that the deadline was not just a suggestion. He was disappointed by the offers presented by the Buccaneers, which he said did not meet his expectations. According to reports from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the team proposed a two-year deal, which Mayfield found unacceptable. Per Kyle Dvorchak of CBS Sports, the Buccaneers did offer Mayfield a two-year deal, but it was just not enough. Mayfield felt disrespected after seeing the contract offer that spanned only two years, which only matched what the Indianapolis Colts gave Daniel Jones. Mayfield said Thursday that the Buccaneers' final offer was "pretty far" from the range of $50 million per year and spanned only two years, which tells you exactly what he's aiming for.
He stated that the Buccaneers' offer was significantly below the $50 million average annual value he was aiming for. Mayfield highlighted his contributions to the franchise, citing leadership and performance on the field. He described the past three years with the team as some of the best of his career and expressed his belief that he has earned fair compensation for his impact. Over his tenure with the Buccaneers, he totaled 12,237 passing yards and 91 passing touchdowns, with an astounding 97.4 quarterback rating and a 66.3% completion percentage. Meanwhile, Jones has not secured any accolades nor recorded a season with more than 3,200 passing yards.
Mayfield's Performance and the Bucs' Success
Since joining the Buccaneers in 2023, Mayfield has started in every game and led the team to two postseason appearances. The team achieved a notable victory over the Eagles in the 2023 playoffs but was eliminated by Detroit in the divisional round. In the 2024 season, the Buccaneers reached the wild card round but lost to Washington and missed the playoffs entirely in 2025. Over the past three regular seasons, the Bucs have compiled a 27-24 record with Mayfield as the starting quarterback.
Mayfield made it clear that his situation is not about feeling sorry for himself. He acknowledged that many others face worse challenges and emphasized that he evaluates himself by comparing his performance to his peers. He believes he belongs in a category that justifies high compensation. He described himself as a franchise quarterback, citing public statements from team ownership as evidence of his value. Not having a new contract, he said, has been very disappointing. Mayfield earned his two Pro Bowl selections with the Buccaneers while also grabbing the 2023 PFWA Most Improved Player award.
He reiterated that his deadline was non-negotiable and that the team understands who he is. He assured reporters that his focus remains on the team and their goals. For new members of the squad, he aimed to correct any misconceptions about his personality and emphasize the importance of working together for success.
Mayfield explained that setting the deadline was a way to prevent the contract issue from becoming a distraction for the team. He stated he would no longer answer contract-related questions after Thursday. If the Buccaneers had waited this long to address the matter, he warned, the problem could worsen. However, he expressed confidence in having a strong season, which he believes will reflect his commitment and performance.
He mentioned that the Buccaneers are not currently in communication with him, and he expects his agent to remain silent unless a legitimate offer is on the table. Mayfield also addressed the possibility of the team tagging him next offseason, stating it would result in too much dead money on their cap. He anticipates a better offer after a successful season, but he acknowledged that hoping and expecting are two separate things. There is a lot on the plate of the Buccaneers front office now. They have to find a trade partner for Vita Vea, worry about trying to give Mayfield a reason to stay, and scour for a long-term quarterback for the future as a backup plan.
Mayfield expressed that he has hope for a resolution, even though he recognizes that he cannot control the situation completely. He stressed that all he can influence is his performance and the team's success. He believes that when the team wins, positive outcomes tend to follow, including potential contract offers.
He reflected on his experiences in the NFL, acknowledging the challenges he has faced and how they have helped shape him. With more maturity now, he said his priorities have shifted, and he is at peace with the current circumstances. Mayfield emphasized that the focus remains on the team and their shared objective of winning.