The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield are set to engage in contract negotiations this summer ahead of training camp in late July.
While speaking to the media on Friday, Mayfield set a hard deadline of the start of training camp for the Bucs to sign him to an extension. If he doesn't get a new deal by then, the former No. 1 overall pick will play out the final year of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed with Tampa Bay back in 2024.
Mayfield adds that he loves the city and being with the Bucs, but contract talks aren't close right now.
"We love being here," Mayfield said via Greg Auman of FOX Sports. "Contract talks are starting, but we're not anywhere close to where we were thinking. Would love to be here long term, but as of right now, that's not exactly the case. I'm under contract in 2026...I would love to have a long-term deal, but they know my deadline is training camp."
Though the Bucs and Mayfield are far apart on a new contract right now, a lot could change in the next few weeks. If Tampa Bay inks the veteran signal-caller to an extension before the start of camp, it wouldn't just be huge news for the franchise, but also the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Carolina Panthers.
How Baker Mayfield's contract talks with Bucs affect Broncos, Texans and Panthers
The Broncos, Texans, and Panthers also have to worry about quarterback contract extensions over the next few months.
For Denver, Bo Nix isn't extension eligible until next offseason, but if the Oregon product continues to win games and takes the next step in 2026, it would be a no-brainer to reward him with an extension in the spring or summer next year.
Mayfield's contract could give Denver an idea of what Nix's deal will look like, though it's safe to say the 2024 No. 12 overall pick will get more money than Mayfield, given his age (26) and solid play that has catapulted the Broncos into a premier contender in the AFC.
As for Houston and Carolina, C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are already extension-eligible, but both franchises want to see how their young quarterbacks play this year before committing to them long term.
After a stellar rookie year in 2023, Stroud has taken a step back over the last two seasons despite leading the Texans to a playoff appearance every year he's been the starter. 2026 will be a crucial year for Stroud, and if he rises to the occasion, an extension could be on the way in 2027.
Stroud should also get more money than Mayfield because of his age (24), but if Mayfield signs a new deal, that could be the bare minimum the Texans signal-caller asks for in his contract.
Young led the Panthers to a division title in 2025 and looked phenomenal down the stretch. An efficient season in 2026 with a playoff appearance should ensure an extension for the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, and it could look a lot like Mayfield's potential contract wth the Bucs.
Overall, we'll see whether Tampa Bay is able to lock down Mayfield on a new contract before training camp in July. If the Bucs and Mayfield come to terms, it could have lasting effects on other signal-callers who could receive extensions in the next year, including Nix, Stroud, and Young.