Baker Mayfield Stays with Tampa as Bucs Resign QB to Multimillion-Dollar Extension

© Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

In the ever-evolving NFL, the quarterback market seems to always be able to reset each off-season. This offseason as numerous quarterbacks become free agents and work with their current teams to negotiate extensions both teams and players possibly need to strike quickly. This year the NFL Draft is poised to have several game-changers in one of the deepest position groups in the draft.

One of the bigger names in this year's free-agent quarterback market, Baker Mayfield, has come to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As the Bucs resign Mayfield to keep him with the team on a three-year deal worth up to $115 million. The deal offers $5 million per year in various incentives as well as $50 million guaranteed throughout the contract. While Mayfield has had his detractors, he did find new life in his first season with the Bucs, throwing for career-highs in yardage and touchdowns. He also set a career-best completion percentage in 2023. Also, he was selected for his first Pro Bowl.

Baker Mayfield Contract Details

The construction of the deal is moderate by other contract extensions for the position, and as a result more team-friendly as Mayfield is slated to earn $30 million in 2024 and 2025, and $40 million in 2026. The deal for Mayfield is the second big-name free agent the team agreed to terms with after previously agreeing to terms on a two-year $52 million extension for wide receiver Mike Evans. While Mayfield had his success in leading the Bucs to the playoffs with offensive coordinator Dave Canales, this year will have a different coordinator for the Bucs' offense. While Canales departed to take the head coach role with the Carolina Panthers, Mayfield will be reunited with Liam Coen as the two worked together while with the Rams. Reuniting with Mayfield was also a factor in Coen's coming to Tampa.

Looking forward, the Bucs currently have seven draft picks in the upcoming draft and currently sit $14.8 million under the salary cap. Addressing the quarterback need and the re-signing of Evans have put the Bucs in a position to use the draft to address other needs to build on their efforts from the 2023 season. Mayfield said in his confirmation of the deal:

"I wanted a chance to come back. I love Coach Bowles and the staff. I'm happy to be here and I want to win more in the postseason."

© Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK

Baker Mayfield Contract: Overall Grade

The overall grade of the deal is to be determined. The move was smart for the Bucs and Mayfield, as they look to build on the success that last season brought, finishing 9-8 and dethroning the NFC Champ Eagles in the Super Wildcard round of the playoffs. The duo of Mayfield and Evans will be formidable but it is just one piece for the Bucs to be able to compete as contenders. Also, despite Mayfield's familiarity with Coen, how will the team react to a new system? While it is a good move, it is a wait and see situation as to how the Bucs use the rest of the offseason and draft to address the team's needs as well as if they choose to plan for the future and bring a quarterback in to learn under Mayfield.