Mayfield to play 2026 on final year after extension talks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will play the 2026 season on the final year of his contract after failing to reach a long-term extension with the team, a situation the two-time Pro Bowl player described as leaving him feeling "disrespected" and "undervalued." The 31-year-old quarterback confirmed the impasse on Thursday, July 30, as the team reported for training camp, stating negotiations have been paused per his self-imposed deadline.

Mayfield expressed significant disappointment that the Buccaneers' offers did not meet his expectations. He revealed the team proposed only a two-year extension, which he found unsatisfactory as he sought a more substantial commitment. Financially, the proposals were also far from the $50 million average annual salary he believes he deserves, a benchmark he cited as standard for veteran starting quarterbacks. "I think I'm a franchise quarterback. I've been told I'm a franchise quarterback," Mayfield said. "It's been said publicly from ownership down here. So to not have a deal done is very disappointing."

The quarterback pointed to his performance since joining Tampa Bay in 2023, which includes back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in...