American Football
Baker Mayfield poised for huge Buccaneers extension: The case for and against
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are working toward extending quarterback Baker Mayfield's contract. Co-owner Joel Glazer has made it clear, that much clear.
Whether they should is a different question entirely, and it doesn’t come down to talent alone.
As the Buccaneers stand at a decision that could define their next few seasons, here are both sides of the argument.
The case for a Mayfield extension
Glazer is in no doubt about what Mayfield brings to the table.
"He's gone above and beyond anything we could've asked or hoped for," Glazer said in an interview with Pewter Report.
"Everybody loves him, performs, gives 250 per cent when he's on that field, and that's all you can ask for," he added.
It's hard to argue with that take. Mayfield has been one of the NFL's best stories since arriving in Tampa.
Tom Brady's shoes were tough to fill, but back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2023 and 2024, along with two postseason trips, proved that Mayfield has what it takes to lead the Buccaneers' offense.
Among all NFL quarterbacks over the last three seasons, only one has thrown more touchdowns than Mayfield's 95. Only two have thrown for more yards than his 12,237.
Then there's the financial side of this. Mayfield's current deal pays him $33.3m a year, ranking 16th in the league. For a two-time Pro Bowler, that's a bargain.
The case against a Mayfield extension
Compared to his first two years in Tampa, Mayfield struggled in 2025, ranking 10th in passing yards (3,693) and tied for 7th in touchdowns (26).
Even if we take into consideration that he played through several injuries and missed some of his top receiving options for long stretches, the Buccaneers should have made the postseason.
The NFC South was the least competitive division in the NFL, sending the Carolina Panthers to the playoffs with an 8-9 record.
Mayfield, an MVP candidate at the midway point of the season, faltered down the stretch, throwing 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions as Tampa lost six of their final eight games.
There is some truth to the offensive line struggles, but Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, at partial fitness still, represent a better situation than plenty of quarterbacks had in 2025.
Fading when the division was there for the taking is hard to ignore when you're about to commit big money to a quarterback's long-term future.
The verdict: Does Mayfield deserve an extension?
Ultimately, championship-calibre quarterbacks with Mayfield's competitive nature don't grow on trees. Take one look at the money the Indianapolis Colts handed to Daniel Jones as proof.
That being the case, and looking at his body of work over the last three seasons, it's clear Mayfield has done more than enough to justify why he's the man to take the Buccaneers forward.
He's about to enter the final year of his contract, but there's no feeling of urgency. Tampa already know who Mayfield is. And Mayfield knows where his bread is buttered.
"We’ve had a lot of good conversations with Baker and his representatives," GM Jason Licht said. "I have confidence that we’re going to be okay.”
It's only a matter of time before this gets done.
