The clock is ticking on a contract extension for Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield. Tampa Bay’s star quarterback gave a deadline of the start of training camp to complete a deal, meaning July 29th, otherwise he’ll play out on the last year of his deal and go from there. 

Quarterback contract negotiations are a delicate one. There’s big money thrown around as it’s the most important position in all of football. But at the same time, neither side wants to give up too much so they don’t get burned on a deal. There are way too many examples of quarterbacks getting tons of money and years on a contract, only for teams to immediately regret those decisions a season or two in. Look at the Broncos with Russell Wilson, the Falcons with Kirk Cousins and the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa as examples.

Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

From the perspective of Baker Mayfield, he’s had to wait a while to truly cash in on being a top 15 quarterback in this league. Because of his journey through the league, Mayfield’s biggest payout didn’t come until this current contract he’s on when he signed a three-year $100 million deal back in 2024.

As we know with the league, season by season the salaries grow more and more with every top player that is eligible to renegotiate, especially at the quarterback position. So even though Mayfield will be paid handsomely at $40 million, considering his production since coming to Tampa, the price is going up. That’s also because it’s not Bucs or bust for the former Heisman Trophy winner.

If Tampa Bay decided they want to move on from Mayfield after the season, the odds are there will be a number of suitors looking for his services. And that builds in the dilemma.

Bucs-Baker Mayfield Contract Numbers Predicted By Adam Schefter

So as the deadline gets close and the talks continue, what price is going to work for each side. ESPN reporter Adam Schefter provided an update while appearing on the Pat McAfee Show and gave more insight about what the numbers are potentially looking like for a new deal, and if a deal will even come about.

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

“Before camp starts may be a bit ambitious right now. But the Buccaneers have been a team that typically has gotten deals done once camp is under way, a little bit into it. Baker Mayfield said that he wants the deal done by the time training camp starts or he’s essentially tabling negotiations as he enters the last year of his contract,” Schefter began.

“But I guess what I would say to that is, like I said, Tampa’s history has been to do deals during camp, not at the start of camp. I think it’s going to be easy for the Buccaneers and Baker to say at that point in time we’ve started talking, we’re gonna continue talking, and we’re going to continue to try to get this done. I think that they figure out a way to get it done because both sides want to make it happen. It shouldn’t be a difficult deal to do.

“[I] think about $50 million a year. That’s my projection for where a potential Baker Mayfield deal could come in,” Schefter said. “Maybe not as much as he wants, maybe more than the Bucs would be wanting to pay. But there’s a compromise in there for both sides that I think would like to work out a deal.”

A contract of $50 million per year for Mayfield would put him as the 13th highest paid quarterback going into this season just behind Jalen Hurts and ahead of Deshaun Watson. It would of course give him a significant pay raise, but not break the bank for the Bucs either.

Some quarterbacks that some compare Mayfield too are Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Jared Goff and Brock Purdy. Lawrence and Love are getting $55 million while Goff and Purdy slot in at $53 million. That could be a number that Mayfield’s camp would be looking for.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

We’re in the single digits of days until training camp begins. All will be waiting on pins and needles for that countdown to see if a deal can be accomplished.