The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield continue to publicly negotiate as the two sides work toward a contract extension. Those talks haven't gone well so far, with Mayfield admitting he felt "disrespected" by the team's latest offer.
Because of that, team general manager Jason Licht came out Thursday and said the franchise tag would be an option next offseason if the team and Mayfield can't agree on a long-term deal.
While that makes things sound dire, Licht did reiterate that the team's goal was to work out a long-term extension with Mayfield.
The 31-year-old Mayfield is in the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Buccaneers in 2024. At the time, Mayfield was coming off a prove-it season with the team, where he threw for over 4,000 yards and chipped in 28 passing touchdowns. That performance earned Mayfield a long-term deal with the Bucs, and resurrected his NFL career after things looked bleak following a rough 2022 season.
Over the past two seasons, Mayfield proved his 2023 wasn't a fluke. He turned in a truly great year in 2024, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the Buccaneers to the playoffs. His numbers declined from that high in 2025, though he was still solid, throwing for 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns.
#team #long
Because of that, team general manager Jason Licht came out Thursday and said the franchise tag would be an option next offseason if the team and Mayfield can't agree on a long-term deal.
While that makes things sound dire, Licht did reiterate that the team's goal was to work out a long-term extension with Mayfield.
The 31-year-old Mayfield is in the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Buccaneers in 2024. At the time, Mayfield was coming off a prove-it season with the team, where he threw for over 4,000 yards and chipped in 28 passing touchdowns. That performance earned Mayfield a long-term deal with the Bucs, and resurrected his NFL career after things looked bleak following a rough 2022 season.
Over the past two seasons, Mayfield proved his 2023 wasn't a fluke. He turned in a truly great year in 2024, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the Buccaneers to the playoffs. His numbers declined from that high in 2025, though he was still solid, throwing for 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns.
#team #long
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