Bucs, Baker Mayfield agree to 3-year extension, sources say - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — The cloud of uncertainty surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield has lifted. Just five days before the start of the their 2026 regular season, Mayfield and the Bucs struck a deal on a contract extension.

Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network Ian Rapoport on Tuesday it's a three-year extension worth $165 million.

Mayfield and the Bucs had broken off talks just before the start of training camp, and they had not begun speaking again until this past weekend, sources told ESPN. The parties were able to come together on a new agreement that keeps Mayfield in Tampa Bay through the 2029 campaign.

«Baker's arrival marked an important new chapter for our organization, and over the past three years he has established himself as the unquestioned leader of our franchise,» Bucs owner Joel Glazer said in a statement Tuesday. «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. His competitive spirit, resilience and commitment to winning embody everything we want in our players.»

The Bucs had felt their final offer of two years and $50 million was competitive and not far off, sources had told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. But Mayfield and his agent Tom Wills still felt the deal was light, as it would have placed him 13th among NFL quarterbacks at present. The new deal averages $55 million per season, tied for third most in the league.

It should be noted that Mayfield said he never intended to reset the market but that he wanted to be compensated for what he accomplished with two straight NFC South division titles and a 2023 playoff victory. Statistically, he also put together one of the best