With Baker Mayfield seeking long-term security, experts suggest a massive extension exceeding $50 million annually to match the soaring market set by stars like Jordan Love and Jared Goff.
One analyst has a suggestion for what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could resolve with QB Baker Mayfield’s contract situation.
Pat Kerwin, a former linebackers coach and personnel chief with the New York Jets, said on SiriusXM NFL radio that if the Bucs want to keep Mayfield, they probably won’t be able to do it for less than $50 million.
"The problem is right above them, there’s one spot and it’s Daniel Jones," Kerwin said. "Two-year deal, short-term at $44 million a year. And then that’s just because it’s a two-year deal. I almost want to throw it out, but I’ll leave it there. Right above Baker and Sam Darnold, we start right away [at $50 million a year]. Anytime you’re doing a three-, four-year deal, you’re in the fifties. Jared Goff is at $53M a year, and he might move up from that. Jordan Love is at 55.
He went onto explain explain that he doesn’t feel Mayfield can get a deal similar to what the Indianapolis Colts gave Jones (two years, $88 million, $50 million guaranteed) because it “protects the club on a two-year deal.”
He doesn’t feel that Mayfield will play for less than $50 million, and believes that he wants more than a two year deal.
So the suggestion is for Mayfield to sign a deal similar to what the Green Bay Packers gave Love (four years, $222 million) or what the Detroit Lions gave Jared Goff (four years, $212 million).
“So split it and call it 54,” he wrote. Mayfield is currently the 15th-highest paid QB in the league, just behind Sam Darnold, who will make $500,000 more in 2026, and ahead of Justin Herbert, who makes $3 million less.
Mayfield has been Tampa’s starter for three seasons, leading the Bucs to NFC Championships in the first two.
This past season was his most frustrating.
For the first half of the year, the Bucs looked like they’d run away with the NFC South (6-3 start) and Mayfield looked like an MVP candidate (16 touchdowns, two interceptions).
Then, the second half happened.
The Bucs lost seven of their last nine games to lose out on the NFC South title for the first time since 2020, and Mayfield threw barely more touchdowns (10) than interceptions (nine).
He ended the season with 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, completing 63.2 percent of his passes.
For comparison, Jones ended the year with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, throwing for 3,101 yards and completing 68 percent of his passes.
Love threw for 3,381 yards, throwing 23 touchdowns and six interceptions and completing 66.3% of his passes.
Goff had by far the best numbers of these four, throwing for 4,564 yards (second in the league), 34 touchdowns (second) and just eight interceptions.
All four QBs are at a similar age, as well, with Mayfield turning 31 this past April, Jones turning 29 late last month, Goff set to turn 32 in October and Love set to turn 28 in November.
Jones was the same age he is now when he signed his extension with the Colts, Love was 26 when he signed his deal with the Packers and Goff was 29.
Mayfield will still be 31 by the time the next free agency cycle starts, so whatever happens, that’s how old he’ll be when something gets resolved.
Mayfield told reporters that he’s hoping to sign a deal with the Bucs by training camp, which is less than two months away.
Quarterbacks are also judged on wins and losses more so than any other position in football and, maybe, sports.
Mayfield has led the Bucs to two division titles, whereas the Packers have never won the NFC North in Love’s three seasons as a starter.
Jones has only made the playoffs once in his eight-year career, and Goff has been the most successful, making it six times in his 10 seasons.
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