The Buccaneers are not close to an extension agreement with Vita Vea. The same is also true of Tampa Bay’s other, more noteworthy, summer contract priority.
The 2026 offseason has long been understood to be the time for Baker Mayfield to negotiate a new deal. Tampa Bay’s three-year starting quarterback has one season remaining on his deal, and a raise will be in store once an extension can be finalized. For now, though, there is still plenty of work to be done on the negotiating front.
During a recent edition of The Insiders (video link), NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported there is still a gap between the price point Mayfield is seeking and Tampa Bay’s latest offer. No details are in place regarding either end of the spectrum, but this is not the first update highlighting the need for progress on the contract front.
Mayfield himself said in June his camp and the Bucs were “not anywhere close” to an extension agreement. Both sides have made clear the mutual interest in working out an extension, as they did in 2024. As Mayfield noted, though, he has set the start of training camp as the deadline for a deal to be struck. Bucs players will report to camp on July 28, leaving a small window of time for the necessary traction to be gained.
Injuries have been mentioned as a factor in any long-term Mayfield commitment. The former No. 1 pick has not missed a game during his Tampa Bay tenure, but playing through nagging ailments has long been a topic of concern. The price of a new deal will of course be a key matter as well. Mayfield’s current pact carries an average annual value of $33.33MM. The quarterback market recently reached $64MM thanks to Patrick Mahomes‘ new Chiefs deal.
A consensus does not exist around the league with respect to what Mayfield, 31, should receive on a new pact. He has spoken about the need to find a middle ground, something which has clearly not taken place yet. Nevertheless, the two-time Pro Bowler has not indicated a holdout will be forthcoming, and negotiations have appeared cordial so far.
As things stand, Mayfield is due to carry a team-high cap charge of $39.98MM in 2026. That figure would be lowered with a new deal, but as Garafolo notes Tampa Bay does not currently feel much pressure to finalize one. It will be interesting to see if that changes over the coming weeks.
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