Baker Mayfield’s Relationship With Tampa Bay Buccaneers Takes Ugly Turn — The End Is Near?

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers created a terrific partnership ahead of the 2023 season. He had stints with the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, before turning his career around.

He led the Buccaneers to the divisional round in his first season, before advancing to the playoffs again in 2024. 2025 didn’t go as expected, with Mayfield allegedly dealing with injuries during the season.

Ahead of his fourth season in Florida, the quarterback and the team are working on a contract extension. They can sit down to negotiate again, with negotiations resuming at some point in the season.

Baker Mayfield Reveals Current State of Buccaneers Relationship

Speaking to the media on Friday, Mayfield explained he wants to stay in Tampa, but negotiations haven’t progressed ahead of training camp.

“First and foremost, regardless, we’ve built roots here in Tampa. We love the community, we love being here. They’ve embraced us. We enjoy being here and, obviously, are going to raise kids here,” Mayfield said, via Bucs insider Greg Auman. “But the contract stuff, it’s happening, it’s starting — talks and whatnot. But, not anywhere close to what we were thinking. So, would love to be here long-term, and as of right now, that’s not exactly the case. But I’m under contract for 2026. The guys in that locker room, the staff know that I’m still going to be me — I’m still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl. To me, that’s the priority. Everything else will take care of itself.

“Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done. But, they know my deadline — as soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing [anymore] contract stuff. It’s all ball. So, it’s not up to me when that gets done by. So, hopefully before that. If not, we’re still going to have a good year.”

Baker Mayfield says he wants to stay in Tampa but they’re not close on a new contract and he’s set a deadline of the start of training camp, not wanting to negotiate after that during the season. pic.twitter.com/RkVX9Nxg9s

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) June 5, 2026

Baker Mayfield has posted a 27-24 record with the Buccaneers. He has gone 1,114 of 1,679 for 12,237 yards and 95 touchdowns with 37 interceptions.