The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to have discovered their long-term solution at quarterback in Baker Mayfield. Despite signing a modest one-year, $4 million deal in the offseason, Mayfield has emerged as a top-tier NFL quarterback during his debut season with the Buccaneers. With an 8-8 record heading into the final week, the team has a chance to secure the NFC South division title, a remarkable feat considering they were initially considered underdogs.
According to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, Mayfield is expected to be rewarded with a more lucrative contract, specifically a two-year deal valued at $54 million. Benjamin draws a parallel to Geno Smith’s contract with the Seattle Seahawks, as both quarterbacks experienced breakthrough campaigns, leading to substantial contract extensions.
Mayfield’s success in Tampa Bay, after a turbulent journey with the Browns, Panthers, and Rams, has exceeded expectations. Although his career history suggests he is a quarterback to compete with rather than build around, his age of 28 makes him a viable option for another starting role. The comparison to Geno Smith’s contract reflects the Buccaneers’ potential motivation to reward Mayfield while maintaining long-term flexibility.
The proposed deal for Mayfield resembles Smith’s three-year, $75 million contract with the Seahawks, including $40 million guaranteed. Mayfield’s projected $27 million per year aligns with Smith’s average annual earnings. Single-season stats show similarities between Mayfield’s current performance and Smith’s breakout 2022 season.
However, there are conflicting projections on Mayfield’s contract value. While CBS Sports anticipates a more substantial deal, Spotrac predicts a four-year, $65.8 million contract ($16.4 million per season), ranking him 20th among NFL quarterbacks. Despite this, Mayfield boasts top-10 rankings in major passing categories.
OvertheCap offers a more generous contract projection at $33 million per year, considering Mayfield’s impressive play this season. Notably, there is mutual interest between Mayfield and the Buccaneers to continue their partnership in 2024, as reported by Ian Rapoport. Despite potential obstacles in negotiations, both parties express a desire to maintain their collaboration.
In conclusion, Mayfield’s successful stint with the Buccaneers may lead to a contract extension, with expectations of a deal around $27 million per year, reflecting the mutual interest and benefit for both player and team.
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