After resurgent season, Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers have mutual interest in extension

Nobody expected the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to reach the NFL postseason, let alone win a game in the playoffs. While the team's regular season record was nothing impressive, sneaking into the playoffs with just a 9-8 record, it was still a pleasant surprise given what many people were predicting for the team before the season started.

The doubt made sense. After all, the team had just gone 8-9 with Tom Brady at quarterback. Moving from Brady to Baker Mayfield would surely lead to a four or five-win season at best, right? Well, the team actually had a better record this year, and Mayfield was a legitimate bright spot on the offense. In Brady's last season with Tampa Bay, he threw for 4694 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, all while completing 66.8 percent of his passes. This season, Mayfield threw for 4044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and ten picks, with a 64.3 completion percentage. Those are very comparable stats. Unlike Brady though, Mayfield won a playoff game this year, and put up a very good fight against a strong Detroit Lions team in the divisional round as well, although ultimately falling short.

So, with all that in mind, is it any surprise that there are rumors of an extension between the Bucs and Mayfield?

Bucs, Mayfield interested in extension

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported, the Bucs-Lions divisional round match-up, that the Buccaneers are very interested in bringing Mayfield back for 2024 and potentially beyond.

How much could Mayfield's deal be worth?

Rapoport seems very optimistic that a deal will get done, even if it is not done before the start of next season. If the Bucs do not feel they have seen enough from Mayfield despite their postseason run, the team could franchise tag Mayfield.

In 2023, franchise tagged quarterbacks received about $32.4 million.

Should Mayfield sign an extension, we know that it would be worth more than what he earned this season. His one-year contract with Tampa Bay was worth up to $8.5 million. He's in for a massive raise though. According to NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline, he could earn a contract worth $40-45 million annually.

What are the issues with a Mayfield return?

Mayfield is a solid quarterback who can definitely succeed with a good cast around him. Is he worth $40-45 million annually? Probably not.

The Bucs should be a little skeptical of Mayfield's ability to repeat his 2023 performance. Most notably, the team could be without star wideout Mike Evans next season. The five-time Pro Bowler re-emerged as an elite outside threat this season after a lackluster 2022. He and Mayfield combined for 13 touchdowns on the year, tied for the most of any receiver in the NFL.

Evans is a free agent, and while Bucs GM Jason Licht is optimistic that the team and Evans can reach a deal, Evans is still aging. He will be 31 next season. Eventually, Evans' talent will fade and Mayfield, who did not create a phenomenal connection with any other pass-catchers this season (outside of arguably Rachaad White), may struggle. Furthermore, with both Mayfield and Evans' contract expiring after the loss to Detroit, the Bucs would likely need to spend big money to keep both ‒ money that could be spent bettering other areas of need. Other free agents the Bucs could be interested in re-signing include LBs Devin White and Lavonte David as well as FS Antoine Winfield Jr.

There is no doubt that Mayfield was a huge factor in the Bucs' unexpected success, but given all the free agents Tampa Bay will have, it seems unlikely both Mayfield and Evans will return. If both don't return, Mayfield's success moving forward is definitely a question mark.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL playoffs have Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers thinking extension