The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a disappointing season that saw them narrowly miss out on the playoffs due to tiebreakers. The Buccaneers are hoping that quarterback Baker Mayfield will be able to lead them to the promised land this season, but it appears he and the franchise are at a standstill when it comes to his long-term future in Tampa.
“Contract stuff — it’s happening, it’s starting, the talks and what not,” Mayfield told reporters on Friday. “But [we’re] not anywhere close to what we were thinking. So, I’d to be here long-term, but right now that’s not the case. I’m under contract for 2026 and the guys in that locker room and that staff know that I’m still going to do everything I can to win a Super Bowl. To me, that’s the priority. Everything else will take care of itself.
Baker Mayfield says he wants to stay in Tampa but they’re not close on a new contract and he’s set a deadline of the start of training camp, not wanting to negotiate after that during the season. pic.twitter.com/RkVX9Nxg9s
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) June 5, 2026
“Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done, but they know my deadline: As soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff. It’s all ball. It’s not up to me when that gets done by. So hopefully before that. If not — still going to have a good year.”
In light of Mayfield’s revelation, one analyst believes that he is well-poised to join a new team next offseason following Aaron Rodgers’ retirement.
“I’ve got a team for him and it’s not the Browns…I think Baker (Mayfield) going to the Steelers (next year) would be delicious,” Daryl Ruiter said.
“I’ve got a team for him and it’s not the Browns…I think Baker (Mayfield) going to the Steelers (next year) would be delicious.”
➡️ @RuiterWrongFAN w/ @CLETalkingHeads on #Bucs QB Baker Mayfield’s comments on his future https://t.co/0QnQMsmcUT pic.twitter.com/162wBRrSW7
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) June 5, 2026
Considering the Steelers still don’t appear to have a concrete plan for the position post-Rodgers, Mayfield may just be the perfect solution.