Buccaneers GM ‘very optimistic’ about Baker Mayfield’s future despite contract drama

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract, but ESPN’s Dan Graziano projects he will lead Tampa Bay back to the NFC South title and ultimately secure a lucrative long-term extension before hitting unrestricted free agency.

The future of Tampa Bay’s passing attack is a key storyline, especially since contract discussions were put on hold ahead of the 2026 season. After feeling undervalued and disrespected by the initial offseason extension offers from the organization, Mayfield decided to pause all contract negotiations when he arrived at training camp, choosing instead to bet on himself and play out the last year of his deal.

Despite this standoff and the ongoing drama, the Buccaneers’ front office remains confident that their relationship with the Pro Bowl quarterback will extend beyond the current season. General manager Jason Licht spoke about the situation during an appearance on WFLA’s broadcast of Friday night’s preseason finale, stating that he expects Mayfield to stay in Tampa long term.

“I’m very optimistic about it,” Licht said, via Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. “He wants to play. He wants to prove to us that he is the franchise quarterback that we said he was. We’ll just have to see how it plays out. I’ll never close the door on anything in the short term, but right now, he’s focused on football.” With the franchise tag available for 2027, Tampa Bay maintains control over the situation, allowing both sides time to navigate the season before revisiting financial terms.

For Mayfield, the immediate focus is on raising the team’s operational and competitive standards ahead of Week 1. After a sluggish joint practice session against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he called out his teammates for a lack of physical intensity, admitting that the Jaguars “played with their hair on fire” and emphasizing that the Buccaneers must improve their toughness as shown in film.

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