Eyes On The Sam Darnold Contract
January 27th, 2026
Among NFL quarterbacks, Sam Darnold of the Super Bowl-bound Seahawks ranked third in total interceptions this season, tossed 25 touchdowns and tied for the NFL lead in fumbles.
Darnold also had 57 completions of 20 or more yards.
Does that sound familiar?
It should.
Baker Mayfield also was tied for the NFL fumbles lead, and he threw 26 touchdowns with 11 interceptions, three less than Darnold. Mayfield completed 54 passes of 20 yards more, eighth-best in the NFL. Darnold had 57.
One could argue Mayfield and Darnold are similar quarterbacks, except Mayfield is much better and more productive as a scrambler.
Joe brings this up because Mayfield and Darnold, both out of the 2018 draft, have nearly identical contracts and Mayfield will be a free agent after the 2026 season. Darnold is signed through 2027 on a three-year, $100 million deal he locked down in March.
It’s very possible Seattle adds a one-year extension to Darnold’s contract after the Super Bowl, a nod of appreciation and as a way to keep him on an affordable deal for 2028. Might that be $45 million?
There’s little doubt the Bucs will point to Darnold’s overal compensation as a comparable for Mayfield as they consider extending Mayfield’s contract. Eleven quarterbacks earned $50 million or more this season. Mayfield is on the books for $40 million in 2026.
The Joe typing here is willing to wager the Bucs are hungry to add at least one year to Mayfield’s contract before the 2026 season kicks off. It’ll be one of the first questions asked of Buccaneer Ring of Honor general manager at the NFL Scouting in four short weeks.
January 27th, 2026 at 10:32 am
No value for Baker to do a one year extension doubt that happens.
?? It’s called cash. Players get hurt all the time.–Joe
January 27th, 2026 at 10:34 am
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME JOE!!!!!!!!
the biggest stat that you’re missing is WINS!!!!!!
Sam had 14 last year and 14 this year…he also has 2 playoff wins this year!!!!
Quit with the BS stats!!!!
Sam will cash in because he’s displayed “killer instinct” from week12 and beyond unlike baker
challenge baker!!!!..bring in quality competition(malik willis & trey Lance)…
stop setting the bar super low!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 27th, 2026 at 10:37 am
the kicker is they both were at Carolina together and their stint there was what made people swear in their fake expertise neither of them could get you to the superbowl.
January 27th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Darnold also has a team with a DEFENSE
January 27th, 2026 at 10:43 am
I’m sorry did I just see TREY LANCE as quality competition??
Brains are broken in Buc nation
January 27th, 2026 at 10:47 am
“the biggest stat that you’re missing is WINS!!!!!!”
One of the dumbest memes in sports is that in a sport with 22 players per side during a game – its one position that determines losses.
Its likes some NFL fans already have CTE
Anyone seriously Believe Darnold is one of the top two QBs in the league because he is still playing??
January 27th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Last I looked Baker won in his head to head matchup against Darnold. No way the Buccaneers dump Baker. This is a team sport! Seattle had the #1 defense and #1 DVOA.
January 27th, 2026 at 10:50 am
Joe is so confident in Baker he only wants him back for one year lol. Spending $45 million of someone else’s money lmao.
Funny how you make things up. That’s not what’s written here. –Joe
Baker isnt the long term solution at QB for the Bucs, it’s very simple. He’s 30+, injury prone, reckless when he plays with his body and is a rollercoaster performance wise.
Also, did you notice how good Sam has played down the stretch and in the playoffs? No turnovers in the NFC chip game. They are not the same, Sam has been a winner the past 2 years. Baker couldn’t get past a rookie when the defense held the other team to 23 pts.
This is Baker’s last year with the team and they’ll start fresh with a new foundation in 2027. Can’t have the same leaders in place that continually lose and expect different results.
January 27th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Good to see so many fans clinging to that 6-2 start. Lol…if the season was 8 games that might mean something. Its not how you start it’s how you finish.
January 27th, 2026 at 10:55 am
We can win with him and we can win without him.
I want to see what’s behind door #2 at QB.
Seems like I’ve heard that somewhere.
January 27th, 2026 at 10:55 am
I still say you let Mayfield play this one out. I get JBFs strategy, but I really don’t care trying to stay ahead of the inflated salaries. He plays well enough, then we pay him. If not, let someone else take his gaudy salary, and we pursue younger potential. Even as regretful as Cleveland is, they pulled the Band-Aid, and went bold with Watson, who imo was a superior proven talent over Mayfield, prior to the scandal and injuries. Yes, it didn’t work out, and yes, Cleveland may still looking for their stud signal caller, but at least they’re not 5 years down the road, throwing cash at Mayfield, and would have won nothing at this point. I doubt the dude would have out slung both Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the division and/or a wild card birth for that matter.
You guys don’t see it, but Baker has a lot of similarities to Fitzpatrick, can sling the ball around, gutsy, even can run from time to time, and are at their best when they are underdogs, but when those lights go on, and people start to notice, they disappear.
January 27th, 2026 at 10:59 am
Bee,
Nobody likes you here other than your girlfriends–Munch, Oneilbuc, MelvinJr, DavidBigBucsFan99, and others. Grown ups know that it takes a team to win NFL playoff games. Usually a team with an above average defense. Also, it helps most QB’s when they aren’t playing behind 3rd string OG’s.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:02 am
The difference is Darnold has a great D this year and had a great D last year ,, The Super Bowl will get Darnold more money for sure,,, we should be able to extend Baker on a nice team friendly contract
January 27th, 2026 at 11:03 am
I think it is going to happen, maybe not the entire amount, but a big part of it. With Zac here too. They must build the team around Baker. More protection, strong defense, etc. Teddy was not the answer as back-up. Time for a strong back-up for Baker too. Someone trusted to go in when he cannot.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Good seeing Darnold having a great playoff season. He’s a great player and a good dude. I can see he and Baker in the same pay package. Being no state income tax and Florida weather Baker has to like it in Tampa. Only worry postponing things is you never know what a competitive NFL franchise who needs a QB may think. If Baker looks at 3 years and 100 million and the market pays 4 years at 200 million then he has to pause.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:06 am
813bucboi Says:
January 27th, 2026 at 10:34 am
“YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME JOE!!!!!!!!
the biggest stat that you’re missing is WINS!!!!!!
Sam had 14 last year and 14 this year…he also has 2 playoff wins this year!!!!
Quit with the BS stats!!!!
Sam will cash in because he’s displayed “killer instinct” from week12 and beyond unlike baker
challenge baker!!!!..bring in quality competition(malik willis & trey Lance)…
stop setting the bar super low!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!”
You’ve got to be kidding me. The biggest stat is wins??? They play on different teams and the Seahawks have much better coaching, offensive line and defensive players. That equates to wins. And I’ll remind you that the Bucs beat Seattle in Seattle earlier this season when they had healthy players.
Also, Sam Darnold was a backup to Baker in Carolina. Sam got lucky when he got the backup offer from Seattle. That’s all there is to it.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Darnold > mayfield they’re going to the SB
January 27th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Bee Says:
January 27th, 2026 at 10:50 am
“This is Baker’s last year with the team and they’ll start fresh with a new foundation in 2027. Can’t have the same leaders in place that continually lose and expect different results.”
Tyrod Taylor, Marcus Mariota, Zac Wilson are all available. You should be happy with one of those because they are to high on the draft to get a good QB and most of the successful QB’s are under contract for 2027.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Baker has contracted a full case of Bowlesosis. He has turned to the big suck and will work on his vacuum level this offseason to unveil a new level of suck in 2026.
Welcome to the Sewer of Shame.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:16 am
The same negative people say the exact same negative things in Every. Single. Post.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Darnolds upcoming contract should also be listed as a win for Todd Bowles.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:27 am
I agree with Zoocomics.
Baker and Dilfer have one thing in common. And that is stuburness which makes them selfishly a detriment to the team. Dilfer seemed to think throwing the ball away was a sign of weakness back then. I drove me crazy!
In Baker’s case he will not bench himself when he is hurt and because of that the team suffers. We did last season and the same happened in Cleveland.
Until we have a head coach that has the guts to bench Baker when he is hurt we will be rolling the dice with Baker. That is the only thing that bugs me about Baker.
Yes we should draft a promising QB prospect and a solid backup QB this coming season. No extension for Baker.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Hello!!!…you play to win the GAME!!!!!!
how can you say WINS arent the biggest stat lol…..
the bucs beat seattle in seattle…..OK!!!!!….did that get us into the playoffs?…HECK NO!!!!
do you think the seahawks are crying about losing to the BUCS….HECK NO!!!
wake up!!!
GO BUCS!!!
January 27th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Darnold delivers in big games. Baker shakes like a dog $hitting a peach pit.. Simple as that!
January 27th, 2026 at 11:44 am
wow…smdh
January 27th, 2026 at 11:46 am
MikeBuc Says:
January 27th, 2026 at 10:47 am
“the biggest stat that you’re missing is WINS!!!!!!”
One of the dumbest memes in sports is that in a sport with 22 players per side during a game – its one position that determines losses.
Its likes some NFL fans already have CTE
Anyone seriously Believe Darnold is one of the top two QBs in the league because he is still playing??
******************************************************
Sam won 14games last year….and did it again this year….ON 2 DIFFERENT TEAMS!!!!!
you same folks say baker is the sole reason why we were 6-2….it wasnt the special teams….it wasnt the defense…we had injuries…
you clowns cant have it both ways….
GO BUCS!!!!
January 27th, 2026 at 11:47 am
So QB’s are equal. That means it is something else….oh The Curse of Bowzo has hit Bakefield.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Seattle has one of the best defenses we’ve seen in years, clearly the best of this season. Darnold is not the heart and soul of that team – Witherspoon and arguable JSN are
January 27th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Don’t feed the 813Bucboi troll folks.
Guy is just trying to work up the crowd here. No way he thinks the NFL is like a game of 1 on 1 basketball.
Discounting coaching, play calling, defense, offensive personnel, a person would have to be off their meds to do that.
We would take Coen.. otherwise KOC/Flores and MacDonald/Kubiak >>> Bowles and Grizz. Bucs win 12 games 2024 & 2025 with those coaches. Coen almost dragged Bowles to 12 himself.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:49 am
???he already signed a 100 million dollar contract with the bucs is he hurting so bad he needs to sign a one year deal instead of a multiyear extension he already did his cheap prove it year like I said I doubt he finds value extending for one year.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:54 am
Buddha Says:
January 27th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Last I looked Baker won in his head to head matchup against Darnold.
**************************************************
AND?!?….LOL…whats your point?!?
that week5 win didnt get us into the playoffs!!
baker is sitting at home crying over Kevin…Sam is where baker wants to be
14wins last year….14 wins this year!!!!
CASE CLOSED!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 27th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Saskbucs Says:
January 27th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Don’t feed the 813Bucboi troll folks.
***********************************************************
not a troll here!!!!…
im not discounting anything…
but you baker fans are discounting his poor play and making excuses for him…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 27th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
I am convinced that a healthy Baker behind a healthy oline will be the best version of Baker. The real need is a veteran back up who can reliably get the ball to the plethora of playmakers.
Of course the defense will always be a problem as long as Bowles is in charge.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Good Quarterbacks get paid, so get ready for Baker Mayfield’s payday in 2026 or 2027.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Joe
Its not written here but you said it on the Ira Podcast…remember? You said the Bucs should pay him $45 mil for a year before the price goes up. Its a ludicrous idea because the Bucs would be bidding against themselves.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
It would be a DUMB move. So, I’m sure then that JL will do it. It would be every single bit as POINTLESS, as the McCollum Deal. EVEN, if it is for just 1 additional year. But, Lickt (and Bowles) could view it as more job security, for when after this season ends in catastrophe. A repeat of this off-season… “Well, we still have all three of us under contract and everything ya know!?” Begging for his friggin job. It would be total negligence on the part of ownership. Especially, with what the market will be for ‘middling’ aging free agent QB’s with the upcoming LOADED 2027 DRAFT-CLASS. Know your market. Great INSTINCTS for once, Glazers. Don’t do it.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Gipper
Baker had a healthy body, great line, a great OC and a HoF WR and home field in the playoffs last season and it didnt matter. He couldn’t get out of the first round. Once again facts dispel your narratives.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Joe…..Here is the difference….Sam can make some mistakes and turnovers….he has a great defense….Baker makes a mistake or turnover….we have Todd Bowles POS defense……think about that! That puts Baker at a disadvantage…no excuse for the poor play in the second half of the season….Baker does not get a big raise yet…..Let 2026 play out.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
There are SO many variables that go into winning games, and lots of folks here have mentioned all of them, so why the flak? The Bucs were ahead of Seattle at the bye in terms of position for post season, which, stupidly, way too many people talked about too early. See what happened the rest of the year? Now as to what caused the implosion here, { I don’t give a flip about what goes on with other teams}, that will be the unsolved question. A lot of things played into it. But Darnold HAS won 14 games 2 years in a row in different systems, and I hear peeps in toque land are mad he was let outta the building. Do we really have to ask why Baker wasn’t sat if he was that injured? Did you see his back up? But that, again is a head scratcher. Would I have set him for say 3 losses to heal up? Looking back yes cause we lost anyways but that’s a 100% get it right question. We are not going to get answers to the questions we have.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Ash Says: “No value for Baker to do a one year extension doubt that happens.
?? It’s called cash.” Players get hurt all the time.–Joe
YES 💯 Baker takes that deal in a freakin’ HEARTBEAT. 💯 All. Day. Long. EVERYDAY of the week. Guaranteed. And, that is exactly WHY you don’t do it if you are the Bucs FO. They should really start listening to me.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Sam “The Man” is also a bigger, stronger, better, younger athlete, who is still only 28-YEARS OLD, and is just now entering his prime.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Zoocomics Says: “I still say you let Mayfield play this one out. I get JBFs strategy, but I really don’t care trying to stay ahead of the inflated salaries. He plays well enough, then we pay him. If not, let someone else take his gaudy salary, and we pursue younger potential.”
YES 💯 THIS IS THE WAY. The ONLY Way!
January 27th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
“YES 💯 THIS IS THE WAY. The ONLY Way!” – Myself LoL.
With Baker. It only makes sense and is the smartest move. You put it ON HIM. One “Do or Die” season. If it was a 25-year old STUD that you drafted, like a Caleb Williams or a Drake Maye (bigger, stronger, better athletes, etc), then you try your best to ‘lock them up’ ASAP, and for as CHEAP (“team friendly”) ASAP. The minute feel confident in them, and YOU KNOW. With Baker, it is an ENTIRELY different situation… You let HIM play-it out 💯.
January 27th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
Football has just become somewhere mediocrity makes 10s of millions from college to the pro game. It’s a mess. But sure, if U of Miami can pay $10M a season for Duke’s QB, I guess the NFC Champ will pay $45M as a thank you.
Neither is great. There was a time that mega millions meant you were great. Long ago.
January 27th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
@ Lightningvinny1 Says: “we should be able to extend Baker on a nice team friendly contract.”
Yeah, but why would you!? There is ZERO advantage in doing so right now. He’d have to take it at the end of this next season, too! There won’t be all these suitors, just like last time. And, WHY handcuff any ‘potential’ new HC and GM!? It also reduces your future pool of ‘candidates’ to choose from!? I mean, another horrible season and most all of ‘top-tier’ level HC’s and GM’s would never even consider THIS JOB in the first-place, if it means being completely hand-strapped and ‘locked-in’ to Baker LONGTERM. There’s nothing that makes sense about it other than JL sabotaging everything, in order for him and Bowles to keep their jobs for another year! Message to Glazers… Nooooooooooo. Hahahah
January 27th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
No raise from me but extend at same price with incentives. Plenty of time to negotiate after the draft. Start shopping for a competent backup Only problem with that is developing a QB which hasn’t happened here ever. Defense needs to get better like our Super Bowl D
January 27th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
@ View from 132 – take a look at all the NBA Contracts… Especially, their first FA deals signed after their ‘rookie’ deals. Top-picks who haven’t even proved themselves yet, are getting $300-MIL+ FULLY-GUARANTEED Deals. Even, “6th-Men” are getting $30MIL+ per season. I think we’re up to $70-MILLION per season now for stars. Stars. NOT Superstars, but STARS. And, they barely even play much over 60-games a year now, for “load management” and whatever BS. We’ll see our FIRST $100-MILLION (per season) Player SOON. Possibly, even by the end of this decade. Some of these new MLB Contracts have REALLY SURPRISED ME this off-season. Shocking on a couple of them.
January 27th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Sam Darnold just has to be a game manager and not turn the ball over. That defense in Seattle is legit.