Baker Mayfield, the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has voiced his disappointment with the team's contract offers, stating he feels "disrespected a little bit" by the proposals. Negotiations for a contract extension were ongoing until the start of training camp this week, at which point Mayfield requested they be paused so he could concentrate on football.
Mayfield, who is in the final season of a three-year, $100 million contract, expressed his dissatisfaction with the length and financial terms of the offers. He told reporters that the Buccaneers offered him a two-year deal, while he is seeking a longer-term commitment. Additionally, the team was reportedly unwilling to offer him $50 million per year.
"That’s really the disappointing part — to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it," Mayfield said. The 31-year-old quarterback believes he has performed at a franchise level and deserves to be compensated accordingly, citing his performance and the team's success during his tenure.
Mayfield acknowledged that he has discussed his contract situation with teammates, assuring them that the negotiations would not be a distraction during the upcoming season. He drew a parallel to Vita Vea's recent trade request following stalled negotiations, emphasizing his commitment to the team despite his own contract dispute.
Last season, Mayfield led the Buccaneers to an 8-9 record and a playoff appearance, passing for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He previously guided the team to the playoffs in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, including a divisional round appearance in 2023. Mayfield indicated his intention to have a strong performance in the upcoming season, stating, "If you’ve waited this long to pay your franchise quarterback, it’s only going to get worse…I’m going to have a big year."