New Baker Mayfield Rumors Detail QB's Frustration with Bucs Contract Talks Ahead of 2026 NFL Season

Quarterback Baker Mayfield reportedly wasn't thrilled with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' unwillingness to compensate him similarly to comparable quarterbacks during recent contract talks.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler (h/t ESPN's Jenna Laine ), Mayfield used Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers, Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers as comps for the type of deal he was looking for.

While Mayfield was not looking to "reset the market," the Bucs reportedly offered him a two-year deal worth just north of $100 million. An average annual value of $50 million would place Mayfield just 13th among quarterbacks.

Love and Lawrence have an AAV of $55 million, while Purdy is at $53 million, and Mayfield reportedly wasn't happy with the length and guaranteed money attached to the offer the Bucs made him in relation to those contracts.

Per Laine, a league source anticipates that the $50 million AAV benchmark for quarterbacks will soon balloon to $60 million because of Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels all being in line for new contracts soon.

That suggests that if Mayfield had signed a $50 million AAV deal, he would have quickly been pushed down the pecking order in terms of QB compensation.

Mayfield was outspoken about his frustrations regarding his contract talks with the Bucs during training camp, telling reporters , "That's really the disappointing part—to feel undervalued after thinking you've earned it."

The 31-year-old veteran, who has already said he will not negotiate a new deal during the season, added, "If you've waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that's too bad because it's only going to get worse from here. I'm going to have a really big year."

Mayfield is set to enter his fourth season with the Bucs and the final year of his current contract.

Over his first three campaigns in Tampa, Mayfield went 27-24, led the Buccaneers to a pair of playoff appearances and earned two Pro Bowl selections.

He also collectively completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 12,237 yards, 95 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.

The 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick has resurrected his career with the Bucs after failed runs as a member of the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, and he would undoubtedly be a desirable quarterback option in free agency.

Of course, the Bucs could always place the franchise tag on him to prevent that from happening next offseason, but if Mayfield does enjoy another strong year in 2026, the price to sign him to a longer-term deal will continue to rise.