Despite a great 2026 NFL draft class, the Bucs still have some big questions to answer before the start of the season. That revolves around starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and his future with the team.
Are the Buccaneers going to be able to sign Baker Mayfield to an contract extension before training camp or the start of the season? Will Mayfield even agree to an extension rather than hit the open market and cash in on free agency next March?
Mayfield is going into his fourth year as the starting quarterback in Tampa Bay. During the first three seasons with the team he has a compiled a regular season record of 27-24, starting all 51 games with three playoff starts and a 1-2 record. He’s also thrown for 12,237 passing yards in the regular season with 95 touchdown passes, 37 interceptions and a 66.3 completion percentage.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Nathan Ray Seebeck
Overall he’s been a great fit for Tampa Bay despite the 8-9 record and missing the playoffs last season. The 9-8 season in 2023 resulting in advancing to the second round of the postseason, combined with the 10-6 record the year after in 2024 – that coincided with Mayfield’s best year of his career – make up for a season of struggles in 2025.
Jason Licht Comments On Possibly Extending Baker Mayfield’s Contract This Year
The Buccaneers certainly are very much interested in keeping Baker Mayfield for a long time with a contract extension. General manager Jason Licht said as such while appearing on 95.7 WDAE’s The Drive with host Tom Krasniqi, aka TKras. When asked about the possibility of a contract extension in the near future, Licht said they’re thinking about it at all times.
That’s a declarative statement about wanting to make sure that Mayfield is back with the Buccaneers after the season – but Licht was non-committal on when that might happen.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“Baker is at the forefront of our mind at all times,” Licht said. “All of our plans revolve around Baker and that’s something that we’ll get to at some point. I have had a lot of discussions with Baker about the team, I know we texted during the draft after some of the picks. I know he was excited about the players that we took. We have a great relationship and nobody here wants Baker to be playing for another team, so I’ll just leave it at that.
What Does Baker Mayfield Think Of New WR Ted Hurst?
Tampa Bay likely made Baker Mayfield quite happy when the team added another skill position player for him to work with in this year’s draft. The Bucs selected Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst in the third round and he fills a specific need for the receiver room despite the talent that the team already has at the position.
Bucs WR Ted Hurst – Photo courtesy of Georgia State Athletics
With his 6-foot-4 height, Hurst bring much needed size at wide receiver and can play the X position that Mike Evans used to play on the outside as a split end. The Bucs didn’t have anyone with size like Hurst or that really could play the X position with Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan better suited for roles in the slot or line up on the opposite side as the Z (flanker).
Hurst brings size, speed and production with 25 career touchdowns, making for an intriguing target that Mayfield will get to work with this upcoming season. Mayfield could use another target in the red zone, and with Hurst’s ability to go up and get the ball, he’s definitely a fit on fade passes into the end zone.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images
“I know Baker’s always excited when you add a potential weapon to our team,” Licht said. “With Ted, I think he comes into a scenario where we have four really, really, good receivers that we’re very excited about, and he’s not going to be expected to day one make big contributions. He’s going to be able to learn from these guys, we have an exceptional receivers coach along with our whole offensive staff but we have an exceptional receivers coach that is very patient and is a great teacher where he can sit back and learn, and like I said, not be a savior right away.”
Check out the whole interview with Jason Licht on The Drive with TKras by clicking this link.