Mayfield Says Buccaneers Failed to Show Him Respect in Contract Talks

Baker Mayfield told reporters Thursday that he feels undervalued by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization after negotiations on a contract extension broke down. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback will play the final year of his three-year, $100 million deal without a new agreement, a situation he said left him disappointed by how the franchise treated him.

The quarterback, who was the No. 1 overall pick by Cleveland in 2018, revitalized his career in Tampa Bay following Tom Brady’s retirement. Since arriving in 2023, Mayfield has made back-to-back Pro Bowl teams while guiding the Buccaneers to consecutive NFC South division titles, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the franchise.

Mayfield set a deadline for contract discussions ahead of training camp and said he communicated to his team that football would be his sole focus afterward. He stressed that compensation should never drive his performance and that being in a challenging position motivates him to prove his worth on the field.

Last season, Mayfield posted 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdown passes, a 71.4% completion rate and a 106.8 passer rating before injuries derailed his MVP candidacy in the second half. Contract analysts estimate his current market value ranges between $50 million and $55 million annually, though another season at that production level could command significantly higher pay.

Offensive lineman Ben Bredeson praised Mayfield’s consistency and leadership despite the contract stalemate. Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea is also dissatisfied with his deal situation and has missed early training camp practices with a back injury.