According to reports from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Sunday, quarterback Baker Mayfield has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a three-year, $100 million contract that could reach up to $115 million with incentives and includes $50 million in guaranteed money. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero provided additional details, stating that $30 million of Mayfield’s deal is fully guaranteed in the first year, with another $10 million guaranteed in 2025 and the remaining $10 million guaranteed for injury, vesting next year. The team has since officially announced the agreement.
Mayfield, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2018 who has transitioned into a journeyman quarterback, enjoyed a career-defining season in 2023. He threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, playing a pivotal role in propelling Tampa Bay to their third consecutive NFC South title and an appearance in the NFC Divisional Round. His standout performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, and he finished third in the Comeback Player of the Year voting.
Previously with the Cleveland Browns from 2018 to 2021, Mayfield had shown flashes of becoming a long-term solution at quarterback. He was the runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year, threw for over 3,000 yards in each season with Cleveland, and during the 2020 campaign, helped deliver the organization’s first postseason victory since 1994.
However, Mayfield’s inconsistencies persisted, prompting the Browns to part ways with him ahead of the 2022 season, which he subsequently split between the Panthers and Rams.
When Mayfield signed with the Buccaneers in 2023, Tampa Bay marked his fourth team in the span of one offseason to another.
Expectations were tempered, but Mayfield swiftly exceeded them.
Sitting at 4-7 in late November, Mayfield and the Buccaneers won five of their last six regular-season games to capture the division title, then emphatically throttled the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, 32-9, in the wild-card round before pushing the upstart Detroit Lions to the brink the following week.
Mayfield, who turns 29 in April, displayed instant chemistry with both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, as Godwin led the team with 83 receptions while Evans took the baton with 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Neither Mayfield nor Evans were guaranteed to continue their tenures with Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers have now locked down both within the last week and have also ensured their top defensive back, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., would remain with the team on at least a franchise tag.
The Buccaneers are gearing up for a push at a fourth consecutive division title, with the latest move to solidify their core – agreeing to terms with their quarterback on the eve of free agency – perhaps being the most crucial.
By Vincent Quezada
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
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