Baker Mayfield’s contract details: Salary, years left with the Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield’s career has taken several twists after he asked to be released by the Carolina Panthers in December 2022. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams on waivers but struggled again with injuries in LA where he ended 2-3 before heading straight to free agency. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took him on in March 2023, agreeing a one-year contract and giving the 2018 number one overall pick another opportunity to prove himself as a starter. For the Bucs, it was also beneficial to have an experienced campaigner to fill the vacancy left after Tom Brady’s retirement.

According to Spotrac, Mayfield has earned $6,850,000 so far during his one-year contract with the Bucs. Breaking down that figure, his base salary was $1,125,000, topped up with a $2,875,000 signing bonus and a further $2,850,000 in incentives with another $1.65 million for the taking depending on how the team fares in the postseason. Tampa Bay head into tomorrow’s Divisional Round playoff against the Lions with Mayfield in the best form of his career.

He finished the regular season a 9-8 record, passed for 28 touchdowns, 4,044 yards and had a 64.4 completion percentage. But his contract will be up once the season is over and the big question is where will he end up and what kind of contract will he command.

At 28 (he turns 29 in April), Mayfield will likely be seeking a multiyear contract - either negotiating a new deal with the Bucs or moving on if a better offer comes along. Whatever happens, he is certain to be earning a lot more in 2024 - if the Bucs hit him with the franchise tag, he would be looking at $35-40 million for a one-year deal. The Falcons and the Saints could be other potential long-term options for Mayfield.

Injuries and erratic form

Mayfield’s turnaround has been impressive. He was displaced as the Cleveland Browns’ starter in March 2022 following that team’s trade for Deshaun Watson and ultimately traded to Carolina that summer. He made just six starts with the Panthers while struggling with injuries and erratic form, and was benched in mid-season before later after for, and being granted, his release.

Resurgence with the Rams

His performances improved after being claimed off waivers by the Rams, as he completed 63.8 per cent of his passes while throwing for three touchdowns with two interceptions in four starts. In 12 overall games in 2022, Mayfield finished with 2,163 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions and a 79.0 passer rating that ranked 30th out of 33 qualified quarterbacks.

Mayfield made 69 regular-season starts with the Rams compiling 16,288 passing yards, 102 passing touchdowns and 64 interceptions along with a career passer rating of 86.5. Before this year, his best season came in 2020, when he threw for a career-high 26 touchdowns and produced a 95.9 quarterback rating while leading Cleveland to an 11-5 regular-season record and a win over rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs.