Baker Mayfield signs three-year, $100M contract extension with Bucs’ as he ends speculation on his future

NFL QB Baker Mayfield has signed a three-year, $100million contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ending the possibility of being a free agent during the offseason.

The 28-year-old, one-time Pro Bowl selectee will earn $50M in guaranteed money as part of his new deal, according to a source close to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Mayfield will be paid $30M per season until 2026, including $20M guaranteed in 2025, and $40M his last year. The Bucs’ have also added $5M per year in incentives, which pushes up his contract to a max. value of $115M.

Mayfield led the Bucs’ to the NFC divisional round this past season, after exceeding expectations with a 9-8 record before the playoffs, winning the NFC South in the process. 

He passed for 4,044 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions by the start of the postseason and had a pair of 300-yard games in the playoffs, putting up 337 yards and three touchdowns against Philadelphia, and 349-3 with two interceptions at Detroit in a 31-23 loss during the divisional playoff round. 

Baker Mayfield has committed his long-term future to the Bucs’ instead of eyeing a new team

The 28-year-old QB had a pair of 300-yard games in the playoffs against the Eagles and Lions

Mayfield’s new contract came after the Bucs’ tied down wideout Mike Evans to a two-year deal 

Bucs’ GM Chris Licht remained optimistic that Mayfield’s future lied in Tampa when  asked about the quarterback’s contractual situation at the NFL Scouting Combine, and again last week, but understood the reality of his predicament.

‘As Bruce (Arians) would say, look behind Door No. 2, 3 and 4 and 5. We always feel like we need options,’ Licht said on Friday.

Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, had played for three teams since 2021 (Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams) before he signed a one-year deal in free agency last March.

The Bucs are also in active talks with linebacker Lavonte David, another free agent, Licht said.

Star wide receiver Mike Evans signed his $52M deal that runs through 2025 on Friday and gave his two cents on the quarterback situation.

‘I think he’s an elite quarterback,’ Evans said of Mayfield, assessing his confidence Mayfield will be his quarterback in 2024. 

‘I’m extremely confident. I’m not 100 percent, but he played really great for us last year. The city took him in, the players loved him. Hopefully we get him back, but he should do what’s best for him.’