Buccaneers GM reveals strong Baker Mayfield contract stance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are busy preparing for the offseason, but their focus should also be on Baker Mayfield and his current contract.

Set to play on the final year of his deal that pays him $33 million APY, the expectation is that Mayfield could command $50 million APY for his next contract.

So, the Buccaneers have to know that keeping Baker won't be cheap, and the longer they wait, the more it will likely cost them. But are the Buccaneers in the mindset of trying to sort out Mayfield's future?

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht revealed all.

"Baker is at the forefront of our mind at all times," he said on The Drive with TKras. "All of our plans revolve around Baker. That's something that we'll get to at some point. I have had a lot of discussions with Baker about the team. We texted during the draft after some of the picks. I know he was excited about the players that we took. We have a great relationship. And listen, nobody here wants Baker to be playing for any other team, so I'll just leave it at that."

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Bucs got to get Mayfield decision right

We have seen how much it can set back a franchise when they decide to go all-in on the wrong quarterback, and Tampa Bay will have to be mindful of that.

But surely Baker has done enough over his three years to justify a $50 million APY contract, right?

Multiple division titles and Pro Bowls, plus the best seasons of his NFL career, Mayfield has been a revelation in Tampa Bay.

Last season wasn't good, but it could be seen as an outlier, so all eyes will be on 2026.

If Baker plays well, Tampa Bay better bring the bank card. But if he stumbles, well, my friends, it will be an interesting offseason for the NFC South franchise.

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