PHOENIX (AP) 鈥� The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are confident Baker Mayfield will be their quarterback beyond the 2026 season.
Mayfield is entering the final season of a three-year, $100 million extension he signed after reviving his career in Tampa Bay in 2023. Bucs general manager Jason Licht said he鈥檚 had conversations with Mayfield鈥檚 representatives and anticipates getting an extension done.
鈥淏aker is still our quarterback. He鈥檚 one of the toughest guys on the team. He鈥檚 a great leader,鈥� Licht said. 鈥淓verything kind of revolves around the quarterback spot. At some point, I鈥檓 sure we鈥檒l figure something out. There鈥檚 no timetable on that.鈥�
Mayfield has thrived with the Buccaneers since replacing Tom Brady. Once discarded by three teams, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick led Tampa Bay to a division title and a playoff win in 2023. He followed that up with his best season in 2024, completing 71.4% of his passes for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions for a 106.8 passer rating.
Mayfield was an early front-runner for AP NFL MVP last year when the Bucs opened 6-2, but the injury-riddled team unraveled and failed to win its fifth straight NFC South title. Mayfield, playing through injuries, saw his production drop. He threw for 3,693 yards, 26 TDs, 11 picks and had a 90.6 passer rating.
The Buccaneers lost six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans in free agency and veteran linebacker Lavonte David so this is unquestionably Mayfield’s team.
Licht isn鈥檛 concerned about his quarterback holding out.
鈥淏aker is a true professional. He鈥檚 a leader of this team. I have confidence we鈥檙e going to be OK,鈥� Licht said.
Licht also isn鈥檛 worried that Mayfield might want to play out his contract year and increase his value on the open market.
鈥淏aker is a true pro. Baker has never let us down. I鈥檓 not going to deal with hypotheticals. We love Baker,鈥� Licht said.
The team also wants to extend outside linebacker YaYa Diaby鈥檚 contract. He鈥檚 entering the final season of his rookie deal.
鈥淚鈥檇 love to have YaYa here long term,鈥� Licht said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a very good, young player that鈥檚 probably a little bit underappreciated, I think, overall for what he鈥檚 done. He鈥檚 a good, young player. We like him a lot.鈥�
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