Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are running short on time to negotiate a new contract before the start of training camp.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Mayfield is essentially willing to call the Buccaneers’ bluff if no long-term deal gets done. The veteran quarterback is “not afraid” of a scenario that involves him playing on the franchise tag in 2027.
As noted here: While Mayfield would prefer a long-term deal, he's not afraid of the franchise tag, which would cost Tampa Bay at least $47M in 2027. https://t.co/udBIhnvhTU
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 26, 2026
Mayfield would still get paid in this scenario to the tune of roughly $47 million in 2027. However, it would not be accompanied by the sort of long-term security he would have from a multi-year deal.
As things stand, Mayfield is heading into the final year of his three-year, $100 million contract with the team. The two sides are still talking about a new contract that would pay him over $50 million annually, but there is no agreement yet, and the quarterback has at times seemed frustrated with the lack of progress.
Mayfield threw for 3,693 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. He was, however, playing through some fairly significant injuries for much of the year.
