Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers reached an agreement on a contract extension, after all.
Mayfield has agreed to a three-year extension with Tampa Bay worth $165 million. Two sources confirmed the agreement to Front Office Sports on Tuesday, and one confirmed the deal amount. The team subsequently confirmed the agreement without announcing the financial terms.
The extension puts Mayfield, 31, under contract to the Buccaneers through the 2029 season. He had been set to enter the final season of a three-year, $100 million deal and would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring.
“Baker’s arrival marked an important new chapter for our organization, and over the past three years he has established himself as the unquestioned leader of our franchise,” owner Joel Glazer said in a written statement released by the team. “This contract—the largest in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—reflects our belief in Baker, and his leadership both on and off the field. His competitive spirit, resilience and commitment to winning embody everything we want in our players.”
The deal comes before the start of the season but after Mayfield’s initial deadline of the beginning of training camp. He told reporters in late July that it was “disappointing” to not have an agreement by then and that he felt “disrespected a little bit” and “undervalued” by the team’s offers to that point.
Instead, the two sides kept negotiating and got the extension done.
Mayfield has been a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his three seasons with the Buccaneers. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Browns also had stints with the Panthers and Rams.
“From the moment Baker arrived, he brought a belief and competitive edge that has had a tremendous impact on our football team,” general manager Jason Licht said in a statement. “He has earned the respect of everyone in our building with the way he prepares, competes and holds himself accountable. His toughness and ability to deliver in big moments are a big part of what makes him special, but what really stands out is the leadership he brings every day. Baker is the heartbeat of this team, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have a quarterback and leader like him.”
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