It is more and more likely that Baker Mayfield of the Buccaneers will make his way back to Tampa Bay in what was intended to be a “bridge” year. After spending the previous three seasons bouncing between four different clubs, Mayfield has played shockingly well this season and has restored his status as an NFL starter.
In March of last year, the Bucs offered Mayfield a one-year contract worth $4 million base pay plus a ton of incentives. This means that, despite his output and his stated affection for the Buccaneers franchise, Mayfield will be a free agent this offseason and may still shop around. And if he does, the Pittsburgh Steelers are one team that Pro Football Focus says should try to wrest him away from northern Florida.
According to PFF, “Mayfield will probably stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Steelers should be the first team to call him if he does become available for free.” Despite not living up to the expectations of being a former first overall choice, Mayfield is performing at a level similar to his second and third seasons with the Cleveland Browns. In the 2023 regular season, he earned a 74.6 PFF grade with 25 big-time throws and 24 plays that should have been turnover-prone.
Baker Mayfield of the Buccaneers passed for 4,044 yards.
Naturally, the Steelers would be particularly happy to acquire Mayfield two years after their fiercest rival, the Browns, let the former first overall pick leave in a deal with Carolina. Pittsburgh, along with the Patriots, Raiders, and Falcons, is among the few clubs actively searching for a new quarterback.
The Buccaneers, who have been really happy with the way Mayfield has taken charge of the club as the quarterback on the field and as a leader off it, are unlikely to let Mayfield go. This season, despite dealing with several injuries, Mayfield amassed 4,044 throwing yards with 28 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions.
In addition, he led Tampa to a 9-8 record and the NFC South championship. Last Monday, he led an upset of the Eagles by throwing for 337 yards. On Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, the Buccaneers and Lions will meet in Detroit.
Would Love to Return
Mayfield has made it apparent that he intends to stay in Tampa Bay for the duration of the upcoming campaign. As the season progressed, his value increased dramatically, and PFF now estimates that this winter, he will be worthy of a three-year, $75 million contract. With four years and $108 million in its prediction, Spotrac has an even better offer for Mayfield.
The only thing standing in Mayfield’s way of rejoining the Bucs is that. In order to acquire Mayfield, Tampa would have to give up talent elsewhere because they have a lot of expensive free agents entering the market this offseason, including linebacker Devin White, receiver Mike Evans, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
However, the Bucs are likely to keep Mayfield if they are prepared to tolerate that.
During his appearance on the Rich Eisen Show earlier this month, Mayfield was asked if he would be interested in going back to Tampa. Mayfield expressed hope for that. The problem is that I’ve given myself permission to exercise my right to free will and demonstrate my abilities to others. This has been a wonderful site, and I hope to return soon.
