Buccaneers face contract options for Baker Mayfield as 2027 season approaches
If quarterback Baker Mayfield does not re-sign with Tampa Bay before the 2026 season ends, the team must decide between using the franchise tag, trading him or letting him enter free agency, with significant cap implications.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could retain exclusive negotiating rights with quarterback Baker Mayfield through the March 2027 free-agency window if he does not sign a new contract before the end of the 2026 season. Should Mayfield wait, he may assess his market value for the 2027 season, while the Buccaneers would still hold the right to apply the franchise tag.
With the 2026 salary cap set at $39.975 million, the 2027 franchise tag would cost $47.7 million. Mayfield’s current contract carries a $30.15 million dead-money charge for 2027, meaning a tag would push his cap hit to $77.85 million. The team could tag him and later trade him, but would need to absorb the additional cap space until a trade is completed.
If the Buccaneers choose not to tag him, Mayfield would become an unrestricted free agent, allowing the market to determine his value. Recent ESPN reports note that quarterbacks with annual averages above $50 million—such as Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence and Brock Purdy—have secured such deals, typically after being drafted and developed by their teams. Veteran quarterbacks have also earned high contracts on the open market, exemplified by Kirk Cousins’ $45 million-per-year deal with the Falcons.
The outcome will depend largely on Mayfield’s performance during the 2026 season. A strong showing could increase his market price and make a franchise tag more likely, while a weaker season might reduce his leverage.
Should Mayfield depart, Tampa Bay would need to identify a replacement. Current roster quarterbacks include Jake Browning, Jalon Daniels and Connor Bazelak, indicating the team has several options to develop or acquire a new starter.