American Football
Baker Mayfield's extension was a gamble worth taking for the Buccaneers
Watch every NFL game only on Game Pass â–º Sign up
Baker Mayfield has agreed to a three-year extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth a reported $165million, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season.
It ends a standoff that threatened to carry over into the 2026 NFL regular season, with Mayfield branding the Buccaneers' initial offer as "disrespectful" ahead of training camp.
"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," Buccaneers owner and co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement on Tuesday.
Since replacing Tom Brady in 2023 on a one-year prove-it deal, Mayfield has thrown for 12,237 yards and 95 touchdowns, won two division titles and earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods.
He endured an uneven year in 2025, a season beset by multiple injuries, but returns in 2026 motivated to help Tampa Bay reach the playoffs.
Mayfield's new deal by the numbers
The new deal signals financial commitment at a time when Tampa Bay could have opted to wait.
Mayfield's average salary rises from $33.3million to $55million, a jump from 16th among NFL quarterbacks into the top earners at the position.
Locking in that price now, rather than waiting for the cap to climb further, protects the Bucs against a market that would only get more expensive.
Mike Carlson / Stringer
Analysis: Mayfield's new deal steadies the ship
DAZN NFL writer Jason Abbey
By securing Mayfield's future with the team, general manager Jason Licht can shift focus to improving the rest of the roster, confident that the most important position is taken care of.
There is already enough upheaval in Tampa Bay, with Mike Evans departing for San Francisco and Lavonte David retiring. Losing another important veteran would likely have sunk the boat.
Mayfield missed no games last season despite a run of injuries to his foot, shoulders, and knee, and the Bucs are betting that toughness holds up over three more years rather than becoming a liability.
Given how directly his form dictates Tampa Bay's ceiling in a division no longer guaranteed to them, extending Mayfield's deal is a decision the franchise had little choice but to make.
Watch every NFL game and extensive NCAA College Sports coverage only on DAZN
The 2026 NFL season is here, bringing with it a record nine international games, and Game Pass is the only place where you can catch every snap.
Features include American commentary throughout, plus RedZone, NFL Network, Game in 40, Sunday in 60, Multiview, and more, with prices starting at £179.99 per year or £18.99 per month.
And with extensive NCAA College Sports coverage available as a separate subscription and flag football available for free, DAZN remains your go-to for American football coverage.
Sign up for Game Pass on DAZN for full NFL coverage plus NCAA College Sports for the ultimate college sports experience.
