Baker Mayfield and Buccaneers go from being at odds at start of camp to a monster contract to start season

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers agree to $165 million extension

TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield is staying with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mayfield and the Buccaneers have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $165 million, OutKick reported. Tampa Bay confirmed the deal, ending the possibility that the quarterback would reach free agency after the season.

The extension carries an average annual value of $55 million. That places Mayfield alongside Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence and Matthew Stafford as the NFL’s third-highest-paid quarterbacks by average annual compensation.

The agreement follows a public disagreement over Mayfield’s contract situation. When Tampa Bay opened training camp in July, the team had already presented him with an extension, but Mayfield believed the offer did not match the value he felt he had provided as the Buccaneers’ starting quarterback.

Mayfield spoke openly about setting a deadline during camp for a new deal and said he was prepared to play out the season if no agreement was reached. Tampa Bay resumed negotiations in recent days and moved toward terms Mayfield was willing to accept.

Mayfield has started 51 games for the Buccaneers and thrown 95 touchdown passes during that span. The extension keeps him in Tampa Bay and gives the team continuity at quarterback.