The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record last season. Tampa Bay is under pressure to get back to the playoffs this season. If the Buccaneers miss the playoffs, quarterback Baker Mayfield and head coach Todd Bowles may not be back in 2027 for this franchise. Mayfield is 31 years old. He is entering the final year of his contract with the Buccaneers.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 05: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a third quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay is in the most winnable division in the NFL. Along with that, Mayfield is 31 years old. If the Buccaneers don’t give him a long-term contract extension, Tampa Bay could very well find a new franchise quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht will have some tough choices to make no doubt here.
NFL Analyst Believes That Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Is Under Pressure To Perform During the 2026 NFL Season
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 21: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Raymond James Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Bill Barnwell of espn.com wrote about different players, coaches, and front office executives who are under pressure for the upcoming 2026 NFL season. Barnwell thinks that Mayfield is one of the players who is under pressure to perform this season. There is no doubt a lot at stake for Tampa Bay and him. Barnwell said,
“The “Baker Mayfield Rule” holds that the veteran quarterback’s performance is inversely correlated with how much confidence the public has in his ability. More doubt, more success. As soon as Mayfield started earning consideration as an MVP candidate around the midway point of the 2025 season, his performance cratered, taking Tampa Bay’s season along for the ride.
Are the Bucs testing this corollary by refusing to come to terms with the pending 2027 unrestricted free agent on a contract extension? He unquestionably exceeded the initial expectations on him when he joined Tampa Bay to compete with Kyle Trask for the starting job. Mayfield hasn’t missed a start in three years, he won a playoff game over the Eagles in 2023, and he ranks 14th in QBR over his run with the Bucs, between quarterbacks such as Jared Goff (12th) and Trevor Lawrence (16th). Goff makes $53 million per year, while Lawrence is at $55 million. You can understand why Mayfield wants to be in a ballpark with his fellow former first overall picks, and given cap inflation since those deals were signed, pushing for $60 million doesn’t seem like an unreasonable suggestion.
The Bucs don’t seem interested in reaching that price tier on a multiyear deal. The franchise tag at quarterback projects to come in at $50 million in 2027, which means they could franchise their starter next year and even go to $60 million in 2028 without making a long-term commitment.”
Last season, Mayfield played in all 17 games for the Buccaneers. He completed 63.2% of his passes for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 382 yards on 55 carries and one touchdown, along with averaging 6.9 yards per carry. It feels as if Tampa Bay might be going through a transition. The Buccaneers didn’t not re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David retired. If they finished with a 4-13 or 5-12 record this season, massive changes will be made in the Tampa Bay organization.
There will be a new head coach and a new quarterback here for this franchise to work with. Mayfield would have a market somewhere, but it is really possible that he is not in uniform for the Buccaneers in 2027 also.
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