There’s no ambiguity coming from Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield when it comes to where he wants his future to be. While previously commenting that his contract discussions with Tampa Bay were “not anywhere close” to what he was thinking, his latest statements comes with less anger over the situation. He wants to be a Buccaneer for the long haul, it’s just a matter of finding what works best for both he and the team.

Baker Mayfield Makes His Intentions Clear On Future With Bucs

Speaking at his football camp in Oklahoma last week via a video from Sooner Scoop, the Buccaneers quarterback addressed his ongoing contract situation with Tampa Bay. He made it clear that his preference is to remain with the team long-term, but there was no moment where he shared frustration about what’s going on. In fact, his comments could be perceived as very positive in terms of the direction that negotiations may be going.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Jim Dedmon -IMAGN Images

“I would love to be there,” Baker Mayfield said. “I think both sides want to get it done. Now, it’s a matter of finding that middle ground and what makes both sides happy. I want to be there long-term. They’ve treated me right.”

The key words uttered by Tampa Bay’s QB are “middle ground.” The fact that he has the team’s interests in mind as well as his own is a clear indicator that there is no animosity in these contract negotiations.

It’s the strongest public indication yet that both sides are aligned in principle, even if the details still need to be ironed out. For the Buccaneers, locking in stability at quarterback has been a priority since Mayfield revitalized his career in Tampa Bay, and his comments suggest negotiations are more about structure than desire.

But this goes beyond just football. Mayfield also spoke candidly about his connection to Tampa Bay off the field, emphasizing how comfortable he and his family have become with the organization and the area.

Baker Mayfield Gets Same Feeling With Buccaneers Thad He Had With The Sooners

“We fell in love with Tampa, and it’s a great place to raise kids and be around,” Baker Mayfield said. “So regardless of what happens, I think we’ll spend our offseasons there. Obviously, it’s a little brutally hot, but it’s good for training, but it’s — yeah, I want to be there long term. They treated me right, and it’s the first place I’ve gotten to that feels like Oklahoma when it comes down to football is football, how can they put you in the best position to have success on the field, and how can they give their resources to help you out? And so, it’s a great place.”

That comparison to Oklahoma, where Mayfield became a Heisman Trophy winner and thrived in a football-first culture, is telling. It speaks to a level of trust and comfort he hasn’t consistently had throughout his NFL journey. Mayfield is a legend at Oklahoma. For him to consider Tampa another home for him shows how impactful his arrival to the Buccaneers have been for each side.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Nathan Ray Seebeck

From a team perspective, Mayfield’s leadership, toughness and command of the offense have made him a natural fit in Tampa Bay. The question now isn’t whether the Bucs want him – it’s how they structure a deal that reflects both his production and their long-term roster flexibility.

If there’s any takeaway from Mayfield’s comments, it would be that the interest is mutual, the foundation is strong, and barring any unexpected complications, a deal feels more like a matter of “when” than “if.”