Baker Mayfield signs three-year, $165 million extension with Buccaneers
Quarterback Baker Mayfield reached a three-year, $165 million contract with Tampa Bay, tying him for the league's third-highest average annual salary and making him the franchise's highest-paid player.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Tuesday that quarterback Baker Mayfield has agreed to a three-year extension worth $165 million, an average of $55 million per season. The deal places Mayfield in a tie for the third-highest average annual salary among NFL quarterbacks and makes him the highest-paid player in Buccaneers history.
Negotiations, which appeared to stall at the start of training camp, were reportedly concluded just before the season began. Mayfield had previously expressed disappointment at the team's initial offers, saying he felt undervalued and that he sought a long-term contract reflecting his status as a franchise quarterback.
The agreement also includes a separate extension for defensive tackle Vita Vea, who secured a one-year, $30 million deal through 2027 after requesting a trade.
According to reports, the Buccaneers initially proposed a two-year extension worth just over $100 million, which met Mayfield's per-year salary target but lacked the third year and desired guarantees. The final three-year contract resolves those issues and avoids the need for a franchise tag in 2027.
Mayfield's 2024 performance, highlighted by a 71.4% completion rate and 41 touchdowns, had placed him in MVP discussions, though his prior seasons in Tampa Bay were less consistent. The new contract signals the team's commitment to him as its quarterback moving forward.