ESPN analyst believes Buccaneers might already regret Baker Mayfield's extension

Coming into the 2026 season, Baker Mayfield made his displeasure about not having a new contract well known. But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, just as they did with Vita Vea, gave Mayfield a new contract extension.

Shortly before the season began, the Buccaneers signed Mayfield to a new three-year, $165 million contract extension. It was a solid payday and security for Mayfield, but for the Buccaneers, it might've been a mistake.

ESPN's Ben Solak thinks that the Buccaneers might already regret signing that extension with Mayfield after the team's 0-2 start and Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns. While harsh, the extension does take on a new light with this start to the season.

Buccaneers might regret Baker Mayfield's extension already

"I think ... the Buccaneers are already regretting that Baker Mayfield deal," Solak writes. "Mayfield has not played well through the first two games of the season."

The Buccaneers are 0-2, with losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and the Browns. Mayfield has not been great, throwing for 398 yards but only one touchdown. He also has one interception, and his 45.4 QBR is not a good mark at all, ranking 27th in the NFL.

Mayfield's struggles early this season in the team's 0-2 start might already have the Buccaneers regretting the $165 million deal they handed Mayfield this offseason.

While there's still plenty of time for Mayfield to make good on that deal, the questions about his game following a brutal Week 2 loss to the Browns of all teams aren't going to help his case.

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One of the biggest points Solak makes in his belief that the Buccaneers might regret this extension isn't about the deal for Mayfield itself, but rather doing it before this season.

Had the Buccaneers waited until after the 2026 season to see how Mayfield performed, it likely wouldn't have cost them much more than the $55 million they're spending on him now, even if he played well.

A deal in the $60 million range per-year over three years would be a lot, but it would be worth it if Mayfield put together a strong 2026 season. But if he struggled, like he has thus far, then something closer to $50 million per-year would've made sense.

Solak believes the Buccaneers might already start to regret their Mayfield deal. It's not a failure just yet, as it's two games into his new deal. But so far, the signs are not good, and this deal might end up being a big mistake.

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