Baker Mayfield felt ‘disrespected’ and ‘undervalued’ all the way through extension talks with Bucs

The time for negotiation is over. Quarterback Baker Mayfield made that particular Thursday morning when asked concerning the breakdown in his extension talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the group he’s getting ready to persuade for a fourth season.

“I wished the deal carried out (previous than training camp), residing the remaining date and instructed them it was going to be all ball after that, and I (intended) that,” discussed Mayfield, who will play out the general 300 and sixty 5 days of the three-300 and sixty 5 days, $100 million deal he signed in 2024. “I don’t know within the match that they thought I used to be right kind going to take probably the most the most important supplies that they gave, however I’m at the level in my career in figuring out what I’ve offered this franchise. … So, it’s disappointing in that regard to really feel disrespected a restricted bit. That’s in fact the disappointing portion, to really feel undervalued after pondering you’ve earned it.”

Mayfield has a 27-24 narrative because the Bucs’ QB and led them to the playoffs as NFC South champions in 2023 and 2024, two seasons all the way through which he additionally earned Professional Bowl nods. The reasonable annual value of Mayfield’s provide contract ($33.33 million) ranks sixteenth among quarterbacks, slotting him at the be in agreement of Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones ($44 million) and Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold ($33.5 million).

“That is not a ‘heart-broken me’ element,” Mayfield discussed. “There are slightly a number of other other people which cling it tool worse off. (However) I can take a seat down proper right here and check up on at different quarterbacks and friends and care for in thoughts myself consistent with that and save myself in constructive classes, and I should be compensated for that. I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been instructed I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been discussed publicly, from possession. So, to not cling a deal carried out is extremely disappointing. However I discussed the remaining date was the remaining date. I addressed the group to allow them to grasp I intended that. It’s all ball now. I’m with those guys.”

Mayfield, however, is coming off a restricted of a down season in 2025. Although he began scorching, even thrusting himself into the early MVP dialog, he and the Bucs out of place 5 in their ultimate six video games and neglected the playoffs for the primary time all the way through his tenure in Tampa. Mayfield threw seven touchdowns in opposition to six interceptions all the way through that reach whilst taking six sacks. It must be infamous, however, that the Bucs have been banged up round him, and Mayfield was taking part in by means of further than one injuries, which he imprinted on the Netflix series, “Quarterback.” Mayfield suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in Week 2 and additionally treated a biceps contusion previous than struggling a shoulder wretchedness in Week 12.

Mayfield had the best 300 and sixty 5 days of his career in 2024, completing 71.4 percent of his passes for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, completing eleventh within the MVP vote casting.

“I’ve instructed you guys previous than,” Mayfield discussed. “I’ve been wonderful up front and proper about my emotions about Tampa, it being a house for our circle of relatives; we’re raising our kids proper right here. We fancy it proper right here. … I’m very, very thankful for the danger they gave me. Don’t obtain me execrable on that, however I additionally know what I’ve delivered to this franchise management-wise and play-wise. I’ve had probably the most the most important greatest years of my career, and it’s most simple going to development upwards.”

To that discontinuance, Mayfield recommended the Buccaneers will not directly regret not attaining an extension with him previous than this season.

“For folks that’ve waited this lengthy to pay your franchise quarterback, it’s most simple going to obtain worse. … I’m going to carry a vast 300 and sixty 5 days.”

If the two sides don’t agree on an extension, the Bucs would according to probability smartly growth the franchise price tag on Mayfield in 2027. While franchise price tag values aren’t calculated excluding right kind previous than the release up of unfastened company, Over The Cap estimates the franchise-ticket determine for quarterbacks will likely be round $50.3 million, whilst the transition price tag can be round $43.9 million.