11 March 2024 , 00:30
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Baker Mayfield has agreed to a whopping three-year, £78 million deal to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their star quarterback after an amazing 2023 season.
The former top pick signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers last off-season, which many thought was his last chance to be a starter after playing for the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.
In his first season in sunny Florida, Mayfield played the best football he's ever played in the NFL since being drafted - even being named a Pro Bowler in a comeback season for the quarterback and leading the team to the playoffs.
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The Buccaneers had planned to bring Mayfield back after re-signing favourite receiver Mike Evans this past week and have now made it official - just hours before the free agency period is about to start.
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Mayfield signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year contract last offseason after not getting much interest from elsewhere, with Tampa Bay paying him just £3.1 million in 2023 hoping he would impress and secure a much bigger deal - which he has now earned.
In a comeback season, Mayfield led the team to a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles while making the most of their offense - while having the support of Evans as well as the fans wanting him to return to the team.
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The Buccaneers have extended both Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield this week (Getty Images)Tampa Bay have lost their former playcaller from last season, Dave Canales, who has joined the Carolina Panthers as head coach. However, in a significant move, Liam Coen - Mayfield's former playcaller with the Los Angeles Rams - has been brought in to replace Canales.
This means Mayfield will be working with a familiar offensive scheme. The Buccaneers are now planning to build their offense around Mayfield for the foreseeable future. They have him and Evans secured for the next three seasons and have enough cap space to bring in new players during the upcoming free agency period.
Mayfield had reportedly attracted interest from several teams, including the New England Patriots, who have long admired him. The Patriots traded away their starter, Mac Jones, on Sunday, suggesting they might look to the NFL Draft to find their new quarterback unless they can sign one of the available free agents.
Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill and Tyler Huntley will all become free agents on Wednesday when the official free agency window opens. However, teams can start talking to players from Monday during the 'legal tampering' period.