Former OU quarterback Baker Mayfield will play the upcoming season on the final year of his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after extension disputes.
The 33rd Team NFL Insider Ari Meirov first announced Tuesday that Mayfield and the Buccaneers are expected to end contract extension talks.
Mayfield has surpassed 4,000 passing yards in two of his last three seasons with the Buccaneers. He ranked No. 3 in the NFL in season passing yards in 2024, while guiding the Buccaneers to their best record since 2021 when Tom Brady was leading them.
Mayfield said Thursday he felt "disrespected" and “undervalued” by the contract offers he received, including a two-year deal, after successful seasons with the team.
“I really know what I’ve brought to this franchise, leadership wise and even play wise,” Mayfield said at a Buccaneers' press conference. “It’s been some of the best years of my career, and I think it’s only going to trend upwards, just being comfortable and feeling that. Disappointing … to feel disrespected a little bit and that’s really the disappointing part — to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it.”
Mayfield added that the ownership’s attitude in the negotiations did not match how it previously spoke about him.
“I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories,” Mayfield said. “I deserve to be compensated for that, and I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback; it’s been said publicly from ownership (and) down here. So to not have a deal done, it’s very disappointing.”
Mayfield said he has addressed the team on the situation.
He now focuses on helping the team and himself be the best they can be in 2026.
“I’m excited; I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in, in a really good place and feeling really confident in the staff (head coach) Todd (Bowles) has put together,” Mayfield said. “We’re going to have a really, really good team. … All I can control is how I play this year and how the team does this year.”
