Why The Baker Mayfield Contract Is No Noose
November 8th, 2026
Lost in the hoopla of Baker Mayfield signing a big contract extension this summer were the actual details of the deal.
ProFootballTalk.com published them in the hours after the pact was made.
Here’s the full breakdown, per PFT.
1. 2026 90-man offseason roster bonus: $10 million (earned on third day after signing).
2. 2026 base salary: $10 million, fully guaranteed.
3. 2027 90-man roster bonus: $48.65 million, fully guaranteed (earned on fifth day of 2027 league year).
4. 2027 base salary: $1.35 million, fully guaranteed.5. 2028 base salary: $50 million, guaranteed for injury at signing. Of that amount, $20 million becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2027 league year. The other $30 million becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2028 league year.
6. 2029 90-man roster bonus: $2.5 million (earned on fifth day of 2029 league year).
7. 2029 base salary: $52.5 million.Mayfield’s deal has $70 million fully guaranteed at signing, with another $20 million vesting in 2027 and the final $30 million vesting in 2028.
In short, the Bucs could get out of the Mayfield contract without a ton of pain following the 2027 season.
Don’t let anyone sell you on the Bucs having their arms and legs completely tied if they want to move on from Mayfield after next year.
November 8th, 2026 at 11:51 pm
So in other words Joe….everyone get used to Baker…he’s going to be here awhile.
November 8th, 2026 at 11:52 pm
He is great. He almost completed some passes and only threw too bad interceptions. He and Bowles are clearly winners.
November 8th, 2026 at 11:52 pm
“after next season”
LMAO
November 8th, 2026 at 11:52 pm
Wow I did not expect that at all. Kinda surprised he signed such a deal. Gotta give licht some credit there even if the $$ is high
November 8th, 2026 at 11:52 pm
We’re going to be too good to get a qb this year, most likely, that being said a few of the good ones may stay another year, so maybe good timing?
November 8th, 2026 at 11:52 pm
Exactly.. 2027 he will be on the Roster after that you can move on with a fair salary hit
November 8th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
Damn, that’s a lot of money for a horrible QB!
November 8th, 2026 at 11:55 pm
the baker thing has gone a little bit sideways…so we shall see…
but z-rob was a bit more back to his crappy self…
and i don’t want to discuss our receiving corps, because the room is lame af…some dudes are completely washed (with all due respect)…some dudes are reverse-blossoming…yes literally reverse-blossoming…and some dudes are just scrubs with all hype and no hands…
tez is hanging tough for a 155 pounder tho…
it’s hard to fathom, mike leaves, and the room goes down the tubes…completely
November 8th, 2026 at 11:55 pm
Williams threw 4 picks and still won.
November 8th, 2026 at 11:56 pm
hee hee – we got Baker three more years – unless he does a Deshaun Watson and we just play Jalon Daniels for most of the games
November 8th, 2026 at 11:56 pm
If we have a good enough pick for a qb I won’t be shocked if we draft one. If not we need a damn good WR.
November 8th, 2026 at 11:57 pm
Hahaha after next season hahahaha. Cmon joe. I was hoping you said “if they cut him at the bye week”
November 8th, 2026 at 11:57 pm
Not personally being an accountant…that sounds like may be able to cut this guy if we decide to. Honestly, I’m very, very tempted.Bowles? Adios.
U
November 9th, 2026 at 12:01 am
so, baker nut huggers explain to me how your boy is worth a f#**
November 9th, 2026 at 12:03 am
And this is why losing makes sense. We draft a QB in round 1. Need the highest pick possible. If we can really get out of the Baker contract after 2027, we only have to have him on the roster for 1 year with the QBOF either starting or watching.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:04 am
If Baker’s going to be here awhile I choose to ROOT for him!
November 9th, 2026 at 12:04 am
Good bye. It’s a reason he’s a journeyman QB.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:05 am
Trade Baker by the end of the day please!!!!!
November 9th, 2026 at 12:06 am
Jalon won’t do worst!!!!
November 9th, 2026 at 12:06 am
Baker Jameis Dilfer III looked like a guy who doesn’t trust his eyes, the routes or the plays being called. Just like last year.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:08 am
Baking with Robinson…what team is going to pay 55 million for Baker now?
November 9th, 2026 at 12:08 am
At least Daniels is a rookie. I can deal with a rookie playing bad. But a vet playing bad, that unacceptable. What have you learned about yourself over the years as a qb? It’s definitely not getting rid of the ball within 3 at best 4 seconds or run.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:08 am
We most certainly will be drafting QB in 1st round of 2027 draft….
Baker will start for first few games next year while our new drafted QB gets his feet wet learning the scheme from our new OC,
Baker will be a backup middle of next year then traded if possible.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:09 am
Exactly. We’re tied to him for one more season. You can launch him in Feb of ‘28.
Also, does anyone remember Coen? If you put the right offensive HC around him he can rebound and be a productive starting qb. He might even play solid enough that another team will trade for him as a bridge qb.
But in order for that dream to happen, you can’t hire McDermott, bill, or any other defensive HC. You have to find a good offensive mind to pull up mayfield and find the next guy.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:12 am
I’d love to see the QB who can throw to receivers that just can’t get open. We have a receiver problem or an O.C. problem. We also have an offensive line pass blocking problem. You saw clearly what happens to a QB when they are being pressured like Caleb Williams was. He panics and throws picks. When our QB starts missing wide-ass open receivers regularly, that’s when there is a problem.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:12 am
Mayfield looks awful but until I see a new Coordintator, cant say that he is cooked. We have all seen him play lights out. Eventially having a new OC every year catches up with you. Combimed with a new born kid. The Bucs need to invest in Mayfield by getting him a good consistent HC with offensive background.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:14 am
“We most certainly will be drafting QB in 1st round of 2027 draft….”
Highly unlikely! A stud, true-X wide receiver or a generational talent at tight end would be picked before a QB in the first, second and even third rounds.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:14 am
Mr Mid QB has the most tipped passes since 2018. A midget that can’t see over the offensive line.
I’m sure glad he was resigned before it was too late.
KC probably wishes they had Baker instead of Mahomes.
Baker is vastly better and will have more SB titles.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
November 9th, 2026 at 12:17 am
Another year of this clown show. Which is why I think Bowles and Robinson will be kept cause they are tied to Baker. They will let this simmer for all of 2027 and then clean house.
November 9th, 2026 at 12:32 am
what is Zac’s love affair w C Otten ……. These clowns don’t even know where or how to fit their players …… took three or four games to use gain well properly, took six games to put pain on the right side with his hand down, her to Gourley matchup against certain defensive backs, and they just totally failed to use him. Clown, Clowns, Zac and Todd Show !! I’m sure they’re both impressive on a chalkboard. They just are semi delusional and just having a true feel for the game in their players.🙈🙈 and then you got the clouny ass glazers and licht that allow it……… It’s a one buc circus !!
now Mayfield may not have many open receivers, and these guys aren’t running any type of sophisticated misdirection routes, but for the love of God, quit staring down your receivers Baker !! I mean, who was coaching this guy from the bottom of the sideline when he gets back on the sideline
November 9th, 2026 at 12:37 am
After 2027 would be 1 year too long
November 9th, 2026 at 1:22 am
STFU y’all are the sorriest fans on the planet. This team played it’s heart out and y’all b*tch and moan about everything go find another team