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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will enter the 2026 season playing on the last year of his contract (barring an extension), and his future is up in the air.
With Baker's current deal paying him $33 million APY, it is expected that a new contract could see Mayfield seek $50 million APY, if not more, based on the current market value.
That's a big change, and if the Buccaneers, for whatever reason, aren't sold on paying Baker that sort of money (I think they are), then they might have to look towards the future at the position.
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards thinks that the Buccaneers could be one team that looks to draft a quarterback at some point in the NFL Draft.
"The Buccaneers could conceivably draft an heir apparent to Baker Mayfield, who is entering his final year under contract, but Todd Bowles has a lot on the line to compete this season," Edwards wrote. "The problem is that general manager Jason Licht has job security and may prefer to take the quarterback."
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Mayfield Bucs' long-term answer?
Personally, I think he will be, and he's shown he can be "that" guy for the franchise.
In two of his three seasons, Mayfield has played some of the best football of his career, and let's not forget he had the Bucs at 5-2 last season and was in the MVP discussion before the injuries took their toll.
Now, entering into perhaps a prove-it year with Tampa Bay, Baker might have to drag this team back to the postseason in order to get a new contract. Granted, I still think the franchise is all in on Baker, but that still won't stop them from drafting a quarterback.
It won't impact Baker's future (I don't think); it'll be more of a developmental prospect for the Buccaneers to have work under Mayfield.
And also, if things go south badly, it's a thread to pull for Todd Bowles.
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