The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield are closing in on a deal, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Mayfield, coming off a strong year with the Bucs, taking them deep into the NFC playoffs, took a chance on himself by signing a one-year deal to play in Tampa, and now it looks like it may pay off big.
Baker and the Bucs are close to a three-year, $100 million dollar deal coming into this season.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero detailed the deal, reporting that of Mayfield’s $50 million guarantee, $30 million will be given in the first year of the new deal.
Mayfield took a one-year, four million dollar deal to play with the Buccaneers, a cheaper price tag than backup Taylor Heinicke and Jarrett Stidham for the same season.
Mayfield won the job with a solid preseason and kept it going once the regular season started. He threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Buccaneers won the NFC South and a playoff game too. Mayfield made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
The Buccaneers and Mayfield offered each other lifelines. For the Bucs, it was a low-cost gamble on a former No. 1 overall draft pick as they transitioned away from Tom Brady. It was a way for Mayfield to get back on the NFL’s starting quarterback track. It worked out as well as anyone could have expected.”
