Buccaneers GM Opens Up About Baker Mayfield Contract Extension

Baker Mayfield has finally found a home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and GM Jason Licht is going to do whatever he can to make sure Mayfield stays in Central Florida for years to come.

The Buccaneers general manager opened up about what a Mayfield contract extension may look like and how he is hoping to keep the franchise quarterback locked in.

Mayfield, who of course was the top pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft, had an uneven start in Cleveland before playing 2022 with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams then landing in Tampa Bay.

What Did Jason Licht Say About Signing Baker Mayfield?

Since Mayfield has signed with Tampa Bay, the Bucs have won the NFC South in each season — and Mayfield has even shown them life after Tom Brady. Mayfield has been a Pro Bowler in each of his two seasons in Tampa and threw a career-high 41 touchdowns and posted a career-best 71.4 completion percentage in 2024.

“We’re all ecstatic he’s our quarterback,” Licht told The Athletic. “It’s an amazing story. What he’s been through with his career and his personal life, to come out of it the way he is, the future is bright for him..

“I love Baker. I love everything he’s done for us.”

The Bucs signed Mayfield to a bargain-basement, show-me, one-year, $4 million deal before 2023 before re-upping him to a three-year, $100 million contract in 2024. Yet, even that is a bargain, considering he is not even among the top-25 highest-paid players in the NFL and his $23.875 million cap hit ranks second on the Bucs behind Mike Evans.

“The goal for us is for Baker to continue to be the player that he is, and at some point, we reach an extension when the time is right and he continues to be our quarterback for a long time,” Licht said. “That’s the goal.”

What Did Baker Mayfield Say About Re-Signing With The Buccaneers?

Though there are high-profile players holding out of training camp seeking new contracts, Mayfield seems unaffected by the fact he is playing on a contract that is below market value.

“No matter what I was playing for, I’d still show up and do my job,” Mayfield told The Athletic. “I think they know that here. I’m living a dream. I’m playing football for a job, and I love the group I have. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Mayfield seems more focused on getting the Bucs back to the Super Bowl. He has not played in the big game despite starting five career playoff games split between Cleveland and Tampa Bay and leading the NFL in playoff touchdown passes in 2023.

Yet, in part due to his relatively low cap hit, Mayfield thinks the Bucs have what it takes this year.

“I’m trying to win a Super Bowl,” Mayfield said. “You try to set your goals inside our own building, what our standard is. It’s not to just trying to win our division, squeak by, barely make the playoffs and only play a game or two.

“We’re trying to win the whole thing. That’s the team we have. I think we can win it all.”