Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield publicly expressed his disappointment in not being offered a new contract. He felt ‘disrespected’ and found the ordeal ‘very disappointing’ as he started training camp on Tuesday.
Mayfield Expressed His Feelings to the Media
“I wanted a deal done, set the deadline and told them it was gonna be all ball after that,” Mayfield explained.
“I did mean that, and I don’t know if they thought I was just gonna take some of the offers they gave.
“I’m at the point in my career where I understand what I’ve brought to this franchise. I’m very, very thankful for the chance they gave me. Don’t get me wrong about that.
“But I also know what I brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career, and I think it’s only gonna trend upwards, just being comfortable and feeling that.
“So, it’s disappointing in that regard to feel disrespected a little bit. That’s really the disappointing part: feeling undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it.
“This is not a ‘poor me’ thing. There are a lot of people who have it way worse.
“But I can sit here, look at other quarterbacks and peers, evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that I deserve to be compensated for.
“I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here.
“So, to not have a deal done is very disappointing. But I said the deadline was the deadline.”
“It’s disappointing, to say the least, but it’s all ball here,” Mayfield said.
“I know what I have to do here. I know this team, and the things that we went through last year have put us in a good spot for this year in terms of depth.
“A lot of guys were thrown into the fire and had to grow and learn quickly. It didn’t go the way we wanted, but it’s a new season, and it’s gonna help us in the long run this year.
“I’m excited about it.
“It’s all ball from here. I’ll answer a few more questions about the contract, but after today, I’m not answering any more because I don’t have to negotiate anymore.”
Mayfield’s MVP-Challenging 2025 Campaign
The former Oklahoma Sooner quarterback had a fantastic 2025 campaign, and the stats back that up. With a completion percentage of 63.2%, 3,693 yards thrown, 26 TDs to 11 INTs and 6.9 yards per rush, Baker Mayfield showed the entire NFL that he is living up to the No. 1 pick type from back in 2018.
Mayfield had the 10th most passing yards in the NFL and 26th in completion percentage, but only 6 quarterbacks had more touchdowns and a better completion percentage than Baker achieved.
He displayed the clutch gene so many times last season and showed he deserves a much bigger contract to not only match his talent. But also the money that other quarterbacks make. He is now 31 and will have only a few years left in his prime, provided he stays healthy.
