Facing a high-stakes contract year, the Buccaneers quarterback must overcome a crowded NFC South and past inconsistencies to secure his future in Tampa Bay beyond the 2025 season.
The Athletic's NFL staff created a list of NFL players with the most on the line this upcoming season.
Among those on the list was Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. The question is, why would Mayfield have so much on the line in 2026?
A reason is the current contract situation and whether he'll get an extension at the end of the season. Mayfield signed a three-year deal worth $100 million in March of 2024, after signing with the team as an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
Mayfield is entering the 2026 season in the last year of that deal, and a new one has not been done yet. Mayfield reiterated that once training camp starts, contract talks will cease. If Mayfield has a good campaign this year, they'd possibly sign him to an extension if they don't do so before the end of the season.
Another reason why Mayfield could have a lot on the line this season is how 2025 went. Last year, the Buccaneers started out the season 6-2 and Mayfield looked like an MVP candidate for the first few games. But things got away from Tampa Bay as they went to conclude the season 8-9 and 2nd in the NFC South, missing the playoffs.
The NFC South has a lot of competition with the Carolina Panthers starting to compete more in the division and the emergence of team's like the New Orleans Saints, who seem to have their franchise quarterback in Tyler Shough, who is entering his second year in the league.
Tampa Bay did get better this off-season by drafting edge Rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and wide receiver Ted Hurst. Bain will be able to help the defense tremendously in head coach Todd Bowles' scheme.
With Hurst possibly being the replacement for former Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans, Mayfield will have plenty of options to throw the ball to on offense. Wide receivers Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan are ready to go, and they have a good running back room with Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker and Kenneth Gainwell.
Last season, Mayfield had 3,693 passing yards and 26 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Mayfield will have the necessary tools to do well this season, but it's a matter of him being healthy and leading the team to the playoffs.
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