When Baker Mayfield signed his three-year, $100 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, it was viewed as a fair deal for both sides. Fast forward to 2026, and that contract suddenly looks like one of the better bargains in football.
Mayfield currently earns $33.3 million annually, a figure that ranks just 16th among NFL quarterbacks despite him being a two-time Pro Bowler and the face of the Buccaneers franchise. That raises the question: could Mayfield realistically command $50 million per season on his next contract? Quarterback salaries have exploded over the last several years. Patrick Mahomes recently reset the market with a deal averaging roughly $64 million annually, while a growing number of quarterbacks have crossed the $50 million threshold.
In fact, 11 quarterbacks currently earn at least $50 million per year.
That argument becomes interesting when looking at some of the recent contracts handed out around the league. Jared Goff and Brock Purdy are both in the neighborhood of $53 million annually, while several other quarterbacks earning north of $50 million have not consistently outperformed Mayfield over the last two seasons. Spotrac currently estimates Mayfield’s market value at approximately $53.6 million per year, which would place him among the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks.
The Buccaneers can point to concerns as well.
Mayfield’s 2025 season was a tale of two halves. During the first half, he looked like an MVP candidate and had Tampa Bay positioned as a legitimate contender. In the second half, injuries and inconsistency led to a noticeable decline in production, as the Buccaneers collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs. That uneven season is likely one reason negotiations have reportedly stalled. However, if Mayfield and his representatives are seeking $50 million annually, they’re not asking for something unprecedented. They’re asking to be compensated closer to where the current quarterback market sits.
The reality is that being the 16th highest-paid quarterback is not where franchise quarterbacks typically remain for long. Teams either move them up the salary rankings or eventually begin looking for replacements. If they believe the version of Mayfield who showed up in the first half of last season is the real player, then $50 million per year may actually be the floor in future negotiations. If he puts together a healthy season, returns to the Pro Bowl, and leads Tampa back to the playoffs, his asking price could climb even higher by next spring.
Whether fans believe Mayfield deserves $50 million annually is a separate debate. Whether the market may ultimately pay him that amount is becoming much harder to argue against.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What could the Bucs pay Baker Mayfield on his next contract?
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
