Baker Mayfield future becomes clear with Tampa Bay Buccaneers contract decision

26 December 2023 , 12:46

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Baker Mayfield is nearing the end of his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Image: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Baker Mayfield is set to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2024 NFL season. The quarterback was signed by the Bucs in March this year amidst uncertainty about his future, after spending the 2022 season with the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams.

The Bucs agreed on a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million with Mayfield at the start of the offseason. This included $4 million upfront with the remaining $4.5 million coming from various incentives.

This season, Mayfield has helped the Bucs achieve an 8-7 record for the year and they currently lead the NFC South division heading into Week 17. They recorded a 30-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Christmas Eve.

Reports suggest that Mayfield and the Bucs could continue their partnership into next year. According to NFL Network, both parties are keen to reach an agreement on a new deal for the 2024 season.

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Mayfield's current deal will expire in February, where he will then enter free agency once again. However, it's been said that both the quarterback and the Bucs have a "mutual interest" in extending his stay in Florida to next year.

After helping the Bucs beat the Jaguars on Christmas Eve, Mayfield was asked about his future with the team. He expressed his love for the city and the team, hinting at a possible stay in Tampa for the 2024 season. "I would love to be here," Mayfield told reporters on Sunday, via NFL.com. "It's a great city, great group of guys, great organisation, but winning ball games takes care of that, so we'll have that discussion after the year."

Mayfield is having one of his best seasons in the NFL with the Bucs in 2023. The quarterback has completed 26 touchdown passes in his 15 games, which is just one fewer than the 27 he managed in his rookie year with Cleveland in 2018.

Mayfield has enjoyed a strong first season at QB for the Buccaneers

At the start of the season, Mayfield was competing with Kyle Trask to be the Bucs' starting quarterback. Head coach Todd Bowles chose Mayfield as the starter, a decision that could see the team reach the playoffs in the first year of the post-Tom Brady era.

After beating the Jaguars, Tampa holds the number four seed in the NFC but hasn't clinched a playoff spot yet. The four teams from the NFC to secure places in the postseason are the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and the Dallas Cowboys.

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Mark Wakefield