Bucs’ Baker Mayfield move proves how much they believe in him

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't just saying they believe in Baker Mayfield as their quarterback, but showing it.

ESPN's Adam Shefter reported Monday that the Buccaneers restructured Mayfield's contract to give him $30 million in guaranteed money for 2026, which previously did not have any guarantees. Mayfield signed a three-year contract worth $100 million with the Buccaneers last year after getting to Tampa on a one-year deal.

Tampa Bay restructures Mayfield's contract

Mayfield has rejuvenated his NFL career in Tampa since getting there in 2023 to replace Tom Brady. At the time, Mayfield had just finished a season during which he was waived and spent time on two different teams. After the 2021 season, he requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns after they brought in Deshaun Watson. Three years later, the Browns are still in the midst of a quarterback battle while the Bucs have a new franchise QB with Mayfield.

With the Bucs, Mayfield has won back-to-back NFC South division titles and made the Pro Bowl both seasons. Mayfield threw for career-highs in passing yards (4,500) and passing TDs (41) last year during the regular season. Brady is the only Bucs QB to ever throw more TDs in a season than Mayfield.

Mayfield was recently a guest on Jason and Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast and was honest about why he's found so much success in Tampa Bay after three failed stops before.

"When I stepped into the building, they all told me to just be myself," Mayfield said. "It's been, not to say comfortable, but it's felt like home since the beginning. As a quarterback that's been through a little bit of a journey, you can't ask for anything else."

Going out of their way to guarantee Mayfield money in the future solidified the Bucs' belief in him. Mayfield hasn't had a team display faith in him like this since he went from a walk-on to a Heisman Trophy winner with the Oklahoma Sooners.

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