Report: Bucs, Baker Mayfield Both Interested In Extension

The Bucs bet on the possible resurgence of the largely cast-off Baker Mayfield this year. And their wager on the journeyman quarterback is paying off.

Currently leading the NFC South with an 83% chance to make the playoffs, Tampa Bay has set aside a league-high $81 million in dead money on their salary cap books this year to play competitive football. Baker’s success helping drive the success of the franchise has put both parties in a position to want to try it all over again according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Bucs Took Chance On A Bounce-Back Season From Baker Mayfield

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Drafting in the bottom half of the first round this year, the Bucs didn’t have a good chance to secure one of the three quarterbacks who were consensus first-rounders in Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson. Those players all went in the first five picks.

With no accomplished veteran like Tom Brady available and little salary cap space even if there were, the Bucs took a calculated risk by signing Baker Mayfield to compete with third-year quarterback Kyle Trask. Mayfield was offered an opportunity to compete for the QB1 role, and if he won, it an opportunity to re-establish his reputation as a better-than average starting quarterback in the NFL.

Tampa Bay was able to convince Mayfield that with two high-end playmakers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, a promising (but unproven) offensive line, a defense with loads of talent, and an offensive coordinator who would be implementing a scheme reminiscent of the one he played in during his career-best 2020 season, the Bucs were likely his best shot at rehabilitating his image. They offered Mayfield a small, guaranteed contract of just $4 million with up to $4.5 million in performance bonuses.

Mayfield has taken the opportunity and run with it. His play has contributed to the Bucs’ run to the top of the NFC South and has the team just a win or two from securing its fourth playoff berth in as many seasons. If the Bucs secure that position, they will be one of only two teams to do so (Kansas City being the other).

For his part Mayfield has thrown for 3,315 yards, 24 touchdowns and just eight interceptions while completing 63.5% of his passes.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

All of this has helped the veteran quarterback to hit many of the performance incentives that were put in his contract. If he plays all of today’s game against the Jaguars, he will be in-line to have played over 85% of the team’s offensive snaps this year. That number represents the final play-time incentive in his contract, which will earn him $1 million. If the Bucs are able to make the playoffs that number will double to $2 million.

Other incentives in Mayfield’s deal that he may hit include $300,000 for being Top 10 in the NFL or Top 5 in the NFC in passer rating, touchdown passes, passing yards, yards per attempt and completion percentage. Mayfield is currently on pace to collect on the passer rating and touchdown incentives.

He has a shot at the passing yards as he’s currently ranked 14th overall and ninth in the NFC, but he is only 210 yards out of 10th overall and one of the quarterbacks ahead of him is Derek Carr, who has played an extra game.

Baker Mayfield is literally on pace to eclipse most of the benchmarks the Bucs have set forth for him this year. The final hurdles lie in the playoffs where Jason Licht placed the final $1 million of Mayfield’s bonuses. Baker receives $250,000 for every playoff win the team accumulates.

With his rejuvenated play punctuated by his reduced penchant for turning the ball over (2023 is the third season in the last four where his turnover-worthy play rate is 3.0% or less), Baker Mayfield and the Bucs see the possibility for a mutually beneficial future. One where both are given some sense of security without necessarily diving all-in on other.

The Bucs released their final injury report on Friday ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Christmas Eve. From Tampa Bay’s side of things, the Bucs are the healthiest they’ve been in some time with safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and defensive lineman Will Gholston were listed as questionable. Winfield suffered a calf injury on Thursday and did not practice on Friday, while Gholston is still on the mend with ankle and knee injuries from the Falcons game three weeks ago.

Bucs rookie wide receiver Rakim Jarrett is coming off injured reserve and listed as out.