Baker Mayfield arrived in Tampa Bay in 2023 with something to prove.

Three years later, the Buccaneers have made him the highest-paid player in franchise history.

The team announced that Mayfield agreed to a new contract that keeps him in Tampa Bay through the 2029 season. The Buccaneers officially described it as a four-year contract containing a three-year extension.

The team did not release the financial terms. However, Reuters reported that the extension is worth $165 million, or approximately $55 million per year.

Is It Really the Largest Contract in Bucs History?

Yes.

This is not only the largest quarterback contract in team history. The Buccaneers officially called it the largest contract in franchise history.

The agreement moves Mayfield ahead of offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, whose five-year extension was reportedly worth approximately $140.6 million.

Mayfield’s reported $165 million extension is also considerably larger than Tom Brady’s original Tampa Bay contract.

Brady joined the Buccaneers in 2020 on a two-year, $50 million contract with another $9 million available through incentives. Brady went on to lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl championship during his first season.

The comparison does not mean Mayfield has surpassed Brady’s accomplishments. It demonstrates how much quarterback salaries—and Tampa Bay’s investment in Mayfield—have grown.

What Happened to the Earlier Offers?

The agreement comes after Mayfield publicly said he felt “disrespected” and “undervalued” during previous negotiations.

Mayfield did receive an offer. The disagreement was largely about how long Tampa Bay was willing to commit to him.

According to reporting cited by Reuters, the Buccaneers previously offered Mayfield a two-year extension averaging more than $50 million annually. Mayfield wanted a longer commitment from the organization.

He stopped negotiations when training camp began and suggested that talks would remain paused unless the team properly recognized his value.

The final agreement gives Mayfield the three additional years he was seeking—and reportedly raises his average annual compensation to $55 million.

A Career Rebuilt in Tampa

Mayfield’s journey makes the contract more significant.

Tampa Bay originally signed him to a one-year “prove-it” agreement in 2023 after stops in Cleveland, Carolina and Los Angeles.

He competed for the job of replacing Brady and eventually became the Buccaneers’ starter.

During his first three seasons with Tampa Bay, Mayfield recorded 12,237 passing yards and 95 touchdown passes. According to the Buccaneers, those totals ranked third and second in the NFL, respectively, during that period.

He also helped Tampa Bay win two division championships.

The 2025 season was more difficult. Mayfield and several offensive players missed time with injuries, and the Buccaneers finished 8–9. Mayfield still threw for 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns.

More Than a Contract

Mayfield’s deal represents one of professional sports’ most familiar lessons: sometimes the right opportunity matters as much as the first opportunity.

He arrived in Tampa without a guaranteed long-term future. He earned the starting job, helped stabilize the franchise after Brady’s retirement and became one of the team’s leaders.

Now the Buccaneers have made their position clear.

Baker Mayfield is no longer playing on a prove-it deal. Tampa Bay is betting on him to lead the franchise through 2029.

Official video

Baker Mayfield discusses earning the largest contract in team history

Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Speaker: Baker Mayfield
Date: September 9, 2026