With a Heisman Trophy on his resume, Baker Mayfield kicked off his NFL journey with the Cleveland Browns as the team’s first pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Nevertheless, since then, his career has been marked by various ups and downs, leading him to play for four different teams in 2021.
Meanwhile, it appears that his journey is finding some stability as he prepares to sign a substantial deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing an end to his extended period of uncertainty regarding his NFL career.
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs are in talks over new contract
Baker Mayfield is set to continue his journey with the Buccaneers, as the quarterback is reportedly close to finalizing a three-year, $100 million contract. This deal not only secures his future with the Bucs but also includes $50 million in guaranteed money and has the potential to reach a maximum value of $115 million through performance incentives.
For the upcoming seasons, the quarterback is guaranteed $30 million in both 2024 and 2025, with as much as $40 million guaranteed at signing. The contract also outlines the opportunity for Mayfield to earn $15 million in incentives, per NBC Sports.
This agreement swiftly follows the Bucs’ decision to extend the contract of their star receiver, Mike Evans, for two years at $52 million. After getting his own contract, Evans has indicated his involvement in ongoing negotiations with Mayfield. The 28-year-old also shared his wish for another run in Tampa Bay.
“I wanted a chance to come back. I love coach [Todd] Bowles and the staff. I’m happy to be here and I want to win more in the postseason.”
Meanwhile, negotiations between the Bucs and Mayfield’s agent, Tom Mills, progressed significantly over the weekend. Mayfield himself acknowledged the preliminary talks during the Pro Bowl, and the agent’s meetings with the Bucs have effectively kept the quarterback from entering the free-agent market as the negotiation period commences.
While Deshaun Watson’s trade talks were happening, a few other NFL teams were watching the situation closely. These teams, like the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, and New England Patriots, were interested in acquiring him if things fell through with the original teams involved.
Baker Mayfield’s 2023 NFL performance in numbers
Baker Mayfield’s first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a success. He threw for a career-high 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns, helping the Buccaneers win the NFC South division.
While Mayfield’s performance was impressive, it didn’t necessarily outshine Tom Brady’s previous season statistically. Brady’s final year with the Buccaneers might have had slightly different numbers.
In 17 regular-season appearances, he managed to surpass 200 yards in all but four games and found the end zone in all but two games. His stellar play earned him a well-deserved spot in the Pro Bowl.
One of the standout moments of Mayfield’s comeback was his exceptional display in a crucial playoff clash against the Eagles. The quarterback’s remarkable performance, featuring 337 passing yards and three touchdowns, etched his name in Buccaneers history as the first quarterback to achieve such feats in a playoff game.
This remarkable playoff contribution undoubtedly heightened the Bucs’ interest in the star quarterback
