Baker Mayfield, quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is on track for a Baker Mayfield massive new contract after proving instrumental in turning the team into a strong NFC contender heading into the 2025 season. Despite a challenging career path, Mayfield’s recent achievements have positioned him for a significant contract extension.
Mayfield’s Journey from Underdog to NFC Star
Mayfield’s career has been defined by overcoming long odds, beginning as a freshman walk-on at Texas Tech in 2013 before becoming the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. When he was denied a scholarship by Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury, Mayfield transferred to Oklahoma and eventually became the number one overall pick in the 2018 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. However, his early NFL years were turbulent, including being replaced by Deshaun Watson in Cleveland.
In 2023, the Buccaneers gave Mayfield a chance to start again after he spent time as a backup. He responded with back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances and consecutive NFC South Division titles, solidifying his role as a key player for Tampa Bay. ESPN analyst Dan Graziano highlighted Mayfield’s resilience as a crucial factor that might lead to a lucrative new deal, noting that Mayfield is currently in the second year of a three-year, $100 million contract.
After this year, Mayfield will have one year and $27 million left on his deal,
Graziano said on July 18.
He’s only 30 years old, and if he leads the Bucs to a fifth straight division title with yet another new offensive coordinator, you have to believe he’ll be in line for an even bigger extension this time around.
The potential value of Mayfield’s next contract appears tied to the team’s performance: another NFC South title and a playoff victory could push his salary to around $45 million annually, while reaching the Super Bowl might elevate it to $50 million or more per year.
Recognition Among NFL’s Top Quarterbacks
ESPN reinforced Mayfield’s rising stock by ranking him as the tenth-best quarterback in the NFL for the upcoming 2025 season. His journey back to prominence began with a modest one-year, $4 million contract signed before the 2023 season, a deal that many saw as a final chance.
The former No. 1 pick is emblematic of the NFL’s capacity for career resurgences at the game’s most important position, setting the blueprint for near busts to one day reach $100 million,
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN observed.
When Mayfield signed a modest one-year deal with Tampa in 2023 and led the Bucs to the playoffs, it was a nice storyline about a former No. 1 pick regaining his footing. When he did it twice and his performance improved, that’s proof of concept.
Assessing the Buccaneers’ Road to the Super Bowl
Inside sources in the NFL have expressed confidence that the Buccaneers could claim the NFC championship and make a deep playoff run in the upcoming season. Jacob Robinson of The Athletic predicted that Tampa Bay would represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
This year’s NFC winner isn’t the Eagles, Lions or Vikings,
Robinson wrote on July 17.
Instead, Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers represent the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl. A hot take? I’d like to think so. Reasonable? Definitely … a winnable division and one of the league’s easiest schedules should again position the Buccaneers to start the postseason at home.
The Buccaneers will kick off the 2025 regular season on September 7 with an away game against the Atlanta Falcons, beginning what could be a decisive campaign for both Mayfield’s career and the team’s championship hopes.
The Significance of Mayfield’s Performance on Tampa Bay and His Career
Mayfield’s ability to lead the Buccaneers to sustained success after initial doubts has redefined his value in the NFL quarterback market. Should the Buccaneers secure another NFC South title, and especially if they advance deep into the playoffs or reach the Super Bowl, Mayfield is well-positioned to secure a contract that reflects his impact and leadership.
This potential Baker Mayfield massive new contract would not only reward his perseverance and on-field achievements but also set a benchmark for quarterbacks who have overcome early setbacks. Tampa Bay’s confidence in Mayfield hints that the team views him as a cornerstone for future competitiveness in a challenging NFC South division and beyond.