Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield signs huge $165m three-year contract extension… just weeks after calling out front office amid standoff
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield has officially put pen to paper on a three-year, $165million contract extension with the franchise.
The news, which was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon, puts an end to the signal-caller’s long-running standoff with the Buccaneers front office regarding his contract situation – which saw him publicly call out their ‘disappointing’ offer back in July.
The staggering deal means that Mayfield’s new deal has an average annual value of $55 million, ranking him as the third-highest-paid quarterback in the league.
The Buccaneers star’s deal now puts him level with the likes of Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence and Matthew Stafford.
The announcement comes just five days before Tampa Bay open the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon at Paycor Stadium.
In a statement, Bucs owner and co-chairman Joel Glazer said: ‘Baker’s arrival marked an important new chapter for our organization, and over the past three years he has established himself as the unquestioned leader of our franchise.
Baker Mayfield has officially put pen to paper on a three-year, $165million contract extension
It marks a major U-turn after Mayfield called out Tampa Bay chiefs amid a negotiation standoff
‘This contract – the largest in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – reflects our belief in Baker, and his leadership both on and off the field. His competitive spirit, resilience and commitment to winning embody everything we want in our players.
‘Baker and his wife, Emily, have made a meaningful impact in the Tampa Bay community and we are thrilled their family will continue to call Tampa Bay home for years to come.’
News of Mayfield’s contract extension will come as a surprise to most fans, given that the signal-caller had seemingly shut down negotiations earlier in training camp.
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback has reportedly been prepared to play out the final season of his previous three-year, $100 million contract.
He said: ‘If you’ve waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that’s too bad – it’s only going to get worse from here. I’m going to have a really good year.’
Mayfield told reporters he had set a deadline to hammer out an extension with the team but, after it passed, he claimed he was done discussing the issue.
‘I’m at the point of my career and understanding what I brought to this franchise — one, I’m very, very grateful for the chance they gave me, do not get me wrong on that,’ he said.
‘But I also really know what I’ve brought to this franchise leadership-wise and even play-wise.
Mayfield has thrown for 13,108 yards, 103 touchdowns and 39 interceptions in 54 games
‘It’s been some of the best years of my career. And I think it’s only going to trend upwards. Just feeling comfortable in feeling that.
‘So, disappointing in that regard to not have…to feel disrespected a little bit. And that’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it.’
Mayfield has thrown for 13,108 yards, 103 touchdowns and 39 interceptions in 54 games, including the playoffs for the Bucs during his career in Tampa Bay.
He’s also won a playoff game with the team in 2023. Mayfield has a passer rating of 98.4 throughout his tenure as Tampa Bay’s quarterback, and he also threw for over 40 touchdowns during his 2024 campaign.
The Bucs went 8-9 last season and open the 2026 campaign in Cincinnati on September 13.
