Baker Mayfield has powered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 6-2 start this season, emerging as the team’s clear leader. He’s throwing with confidence despite injuries at the offensive line, running back and wide receiver.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said, “Not many quarterbacks are throwing the ball with more confidence.” Through seven games, Mayfield ranks 11th in adjusted QBR (63.5), sixth with 1,767 passing yards and tied for sixth with 13 touchdown passes. He is a 2x Pro Bowler and, after a 41-touchdown season last year, he’s firmly in MVP conversation.
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Contract projection reports Mayfield could sign a four-year, $280 million extension, an average annual value of $70 million, which would make him the highest-paid player in NFL history. For context, Spotrac notes 11 quarterbacks already have average annual values above $50 million, and Fowler says Mayfield’s “per-year average should probably have a ‘5’ in front of it.”
MORE: NFL: Takeaways from Week 9 in the NFC South
The Buccaneers and Mayfield are not rushing to sign during the season; Fowler expects they will “play out the season and can work on an extension after that.”
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🚨PROJECTION: Tampa Bay #Buccaneers superstar quarterback Baker Mayfield is projected to sign a four-year, 280 MILLION DOLLAR extension.
This is an average annual value of 70 million: Which would make Mayfield the highest paid player in #NFL history.
Baker is a 2x Pro Bowler. pic.twitter.com/hrgxYJTDIm
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) November 5, 2025
Current deal and cap: Mayfield is due $43 million in cash in 2025 and is a 2027 free agent. Tampa Bay is projected to have around $48 million in 2026 cap space, which they could free up by reworking Mayfield’s $52 million hit.
The wild card remains ownership “the Glazer family… hasn’t always spent big money on players,” Fowler notes and Mayfield could push for additional guarantees or a ‘tax’ in any new deal. Fans, coaches and front office will watch every snap closely.
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For now, Mayfield’s play does the talking. If he keeps this up, a historic payday looks increasingly likely.
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