Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is on track to become a free agent after contract negotiations with the team failed to yield an agreement before the start of training camp. Mayfield and his agent had set July 29 as their deadline to finalize a new contract, aiming to allow the quarterback to focus on football.
According to Tampa Bay beat writer Rick Stroud, Mayfield is expected to play out the final year of his current contract, which has an average annual value of $33.33 million, ranking him 16th among NFL quarterbacks. He is projected to earn at least $40 million this season.
Mayfield has expressed a desire for a contract that reflects his performance, citing his role in leading the Buccaneers to two consecutive playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, and aligning his compensation with that of other quarterbacks of similar caliber. He also reportedly holds fondness for the Buccaneers, who gave him an opportunity to resurrect his career, while also feeling he contributed significantly to the team in the post-Tom Brady era.
Should Mayfield reach free agency, the Buccaneers could potentially use the franchise tag on him for the 2027 season. The franchise tag for quarterbacks in the most recent season was $43.895 million, with projections indicating it could rise to approximately $50 million in 2027. The exact value of the franchise tag is determined shortly before the start of free agency.
Mayfield is not the only key Buccaneers player facing contract uncertainty. Star defensive lineman Vita Vea recently requested a trade after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract. Vea, a prominent member of the team's Super Bowl LV victory, had participated in mandatory minicamp's instructional sessions but limited his on-field participation.
