TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield’s evolution is far from complete.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise quarterback is coming off the best year of his career, which began with a life-changing contract, continued with the birth of his first daughter and wrapped with personal bests of a 10-7 record, 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.
But for Mayfield, it’s not enough.
“It’s how I’m intrinsically wired,” Mayfield told The Athletic on Thursday. “Just don’t be satisfied. That’s the part of this game that you love. The second you take it off the gas, they’ll eat you alive. I’ve dealt with that. I’ve dealt with the ups and downs and realized if I don’t try to bring my best stuff to work every day, it’s going to be a failure.
“That’s the point: How good can I get?”
In so many ways, Mayfield has shaken the stigmas that clouded his tenure with the Cleveland Browns, who selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He toiled in the purgatory of the transaction wire, first dangled in a 2022 summer trade with the Carolina Panthers and eventually a series of spot starts during a late-season stint with the Los Angeles Rams.
Mayfield, now 30, became the rare QB who actually proved it after his prove-it deal in 2023 with the Bucs. He graduated to a three-year, $100 million contract in 2024 and quickly outplayed it as one of the league’s most valuable commodities.
In an era when teams have more quickly rewarded quarterbacks with historic paydays, it should only be a matter of time before the Buccaneers bump Mayfield’s deal.
“I love Baker. I love everything he’s done for us,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told The Athletic. “The goal for us is for Baker to continue to be the player that he is, and at some point, we reach an extension when the time is right and he continues to be our quarterback for a long time. That’s the goal.”
There are no immediate plans to adjust Mayfield’s deal, but a hot start to the season could quickly change that. More realistically, the contractual conversation is more likely suited for the 2026 offseason.
Mayfield is hardly concerned. As a guy who was on the books for $4.5 million two years ago, he’s got perspective on his side.
“No matter what I was playing for, I’d still show up and do my job,” Mayfield said. “I think they know that here. I’m living a dream. I’m playing football for a job, and I love the group I have. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Still, the financial implications of his next deal are fascinating. Mayfield’s average annual value of $33.3 million ranks 19th at the position. There are 15 quarterbacks earning at least $45 million annually, including 11 in the $50 million club. He’s objectively accomplished more than some.
In theory, the inevitable negotiations could move relatively smoothly for two motivated parties, but there will be complications. If Mayfield wants to hit the $55 million mark that’s in vogue, he can stack his resume against those current earners, especially if he delivers another strong season.
But if the Bucs more closely compare Mayfield to the likes of Kirk Cousins ($45 million annually), Geno Smith ($37.5 million) or Sam Darnold ($33.5 million), that would, of course, lead to more thorough negotiations.
For Mayfield and Licht, a couple kindred spirits who wished they could’ve signed his last deal at a local dive bar, there’s enough reason to believe they’ll find away.
“We’re all ecstatic he’s our quarterback,” Licht said. “It’s an amazing story. What he’s been through with his career and his personal life, to come out of it the way he is, the future is bright for him.”
7⃣3⃣ touchdowns in two years 😳 pic.twitter.com/wnv0BIAbrb
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) July 5, 2025
Mayfield had his moments earlier in his career, including a strong 2020 season, but he truly arrived when he got to Tampa. He took his game to a higher level in 2024 under former offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who challenged Mayfield to be in total control at the line of scrimmage.
Coen gives his quarterbacks two play calls about 85-90% of the time, so it was up to Mayfield to communicate those calls to the huddle before his final checks at the line. Coen also harped on quick decisions to ensure receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin could make plays in space, and the offensive coordinator encouraged Mayfield to utilize his mobility and competitiveness to find a play when everything else broke down.
Mayfield had his own goals, too. He leveled his shoulders on pass drops and smoothened out his footwork to help him play faster. Those conscious efforts, he believed, would eventually become second nature.
Success followed, but it’s natural to wonder how Coen’s departure to the Jacksonville Jaguars might impact Mayfield and the Bucs. However, new OC Josh Grizzard was Mayfield’s ideal successor, and Grizzard is carrying over a lot of Coen’s system, including much of the terminology and protection calls. There are subtle adjustments, but considering Mayfield has had eight offensive coordinators in eight seasons, he knows he can manage the change.
Mayfield, an adored locker room leader, made a point over the offseason to be in Tampa as much as possible to support Grizzard’s integration and ensure the standard for success remained intact. Mayfield has extremely high expectations for the season, so he wouldn’t dare let an opportunity go to waste.
Remember, don’t let the foot off the gas pedal.
“I’m trying to win a Super Bowl,” Mayfield said. “You try to set your goals inside our own building, what our standard is. It’s not to just trying to win our division, squeak by, barely make the playoffs and only play a game or two. We’re trying to win the whole thing. That’s the team we have. I think we can win it all.”
Mayfield has arrived, but he isn’t where he’d like to be just yet.
That’s still part of his evolution.
(Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)
