DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 21: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs off the field against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
After posting together the best season of his six-year NFL career, Baker Mayfield has placed himself in position for a fancy payday in free agency. The only question, of course, if it will come from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or another team.

The first overall pick of 2018 led the Bucs to a surprise NFC South division crown in 2023, as well as a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles, after throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns (both career bests).

In an update, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports that both sides are “expected to” discuss a contract extension ahead of Mayfield’s looming free agency:
“Mayfield’s resurgence, of course, played a role in the Carolina Panthers’ decision to hire Dave Canales as their head coach. As the Bucs’ offensive coordinator, Canales ran a user-friendly system that helped the offense flourish after a stale approach in 2022.

But despite Canales’ departure, Mayfield and the Bucs are still expected to pursue a contract extension as he enters free agency, according to a league source. It could help the cause if the Bucs hire Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen as Canales’ replacement. Mayfield and Coen overlapped down the stretch in 2022 when Coen was the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, and Mayfield played well under difficult circumstances.”

It would ultimately be a surprise if Mayfield and the Bucs didn’t end up negotiating a new deal. He found the perfect home in Tampa Bay, and the Bucs were actually a better team with Mayfield in 2023 than they were with Tom Brady in 2022. The latter squad went 8-9 and got crushed by the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round.