Baker Mayfield deserves a ring. No matter how great he's been as a quarterback, Mayfield didn't win a championship at Oklahoma or Cleveland or Carolina or Los Angeles. And now it's become clear it won't happen in Tampa Bay either as the Buccaneers' Super Bowl window is getting slammed shut.
ESPN reported on Monday that two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea has requested a trade from Tampa before the 2026 season kicks off. Like Mayfield, Vea's talks with the Bucs for a new contract have stalled, which led to him wanting to move on. This comes after the Bucs also lost Mayfield's favorite receiver, Mike Evans, and even more talent on defense during an offseason that's ahead of what's a contract season for Mayfield, who's 31 years old.
Mayfield had made it known that he wouldn't engage in contract talks with the Bucs once training camp started, and with the franchise getting practices underway, Mayfield is expected to play out his contract and become a free agent next offseason.
Vita Vea's trade request all but confirms Baker Mayfield's Tampa Bay future
That means this is likely Mayfield's fourth and final season in Tampa Bay, or at least should be if he wants to hoist the Lombardi Trophy before his career ends. Between letting Mayfield and other veterans walk, it's clear the Bucs are more concerned about the future and a rebuild than the now despite already having a franchise QB capable of getting them to the Super Bowl.
Read more: Baker Mayfield is fully bought into Brent Venables leading the Oklahoma Sooners
After a season as an NFL journeyman when his days as a franchise player appeared to be over, Mayfield got to Tampa in 2023 to replace Tom Brady with the plan of serving as a bridge between the GOAT and whoever the Bucs' next long-term QB would be. Mayfield then asserted himself as the franchise player in Tampa the last three years.
Mayfield led the Bucs to a divisional title and NFL postseason appearance his first two seasons, and in 2024 signed a three-year contract extension worth up to $100 million, with $50 million guaranteed, that will expire in 2027. That 2024 season included a stellar 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns for Mayfield that influenced his extension.
An aging roster got the best of the Bucs last season, though, as injuries handicapped their chances and ultimately had them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Before the injuries piled up, though, Mayfield was an MVP candidate, as he led clutch drive after clutch drive to get the Bucs to a 5-1 start before ultimately finishing at 8-9. And he did that without his two best receivers.
Despite the heroic efforts playing through injuries while never missing a game, the Bucs have spent the offseason questioning Mayfield's health and ability as their franchise QB. It's clear Mayfield was not the problem in 2025, as he carried the team as far as it could get with such a depleted roster. Regardless, the Bucs closed their own Super Bowl window and will waste a year of Mayfield's valuable time that's starting to dwindle as an eight-year veteran. Letting Vea also walk would make it obvious the Bucs are more concerned about winning later than now.
To get the ring he deserves before it's too late, it's best Mayfield also gets out of Tampa Bay as soon as he can, and since a trade likely won't happen, he'll have to strategically choose a franchise next offseason that he can be the final piece to reach the Super Bowl. By then, that could include a franchise like the Rams or Pittsburgh Steelers or whoever else is a quarterback away from the promised land.
Mayfield can lead a team to a championship, there's no doubt, but if he does, it will be the next one.
Add us as a preferred source on Google