Overview
- Head coach Todd Bowles said Thursday he wants Baker Mayfield to be the Buccaneers’ long-term starter and that the contract dispute has not affected Mayfield’s preparation or play.
- Mayfield and Tampa Bay remain far apart in extension talks, and he has set the start of training camp as a personal cutoff for negotiations.
- Mayfield has continued to attend OTAs, practices and team community events and is not expected to hold out before camp.
- Mayfield is playing under a three-year, $100 million contract signed in March 2024 that averages $33.3 million per year, while agents and market commentary suggest top quarterbacks now command roughly $50–$60 million annually.
- If no extension is reached the Buccaneers will have Mayfield for the 2026 season on the final year of his deal and will face decisions after the year about the franchise tag, renegotiation or letting him test free agency in 2027, a choice that carries clear salary-cap implications for roster building.