Bucs GM: Goal is to keep Mayfield 'for a long time'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht wants to sign quarterback Baker Mayfield to another long-term deal.

"I love Baker. I love everything he's done for us," Licht said, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. "The goal for us is for Baker to continue to be the player that he is, and at some point, we reach an extension when the time is right and he continues to be our quarterback for a long time. That's the goal."

Mayfield is entering his third season as the Buccaneers' starting signal-caller. He won the No. 1 quarterback job in 2023 after signing a one-year, $4-million deal in free agency.

The 30-year-old took the Bucs to the divisional round in his first campaign in Tampa Bay, and he was rewarded with a three-year extension worth up to $100 million. His $33.3-million average annual salary ranks 19th among NFL quarterbacks, according to Over the Cap.

Mayfield has gone 19-15 in the regular season with the Buccaneers, leading them to the postseason in back-to-back campaigns. He had a career year in 2024, setting personal bests in completions (407), passing yards (4,500), and touchdowns (41). Out of 28 quarterbacks who've taken at least 750 snaps since 2023, Mayfield ranks eighth in EPA/play and 11th in success rate, according to Ben Baldwin's database.

Landing a stable starting job has been an arduous journey for the former first overall pick. The Cleveland Browns traded him to the Panthers in 2022 after four seasons, and Carolina cut him after six starts.

"We're all ecstatic he's our quarterback," Licht said. "It's an amazing story. What he's been through with his career and his personal life, to come out of it the way he is, the future is bright for him."

Tampa Bay kicks off its season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7.