Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht sounded upbeat Friday about keeping quarterback Baker Mayfield in the fold beyond this season.
Mayfield is heading into the last year of a three-year, $100 million contract. He has said he wants to remain with the Buccaneers, though he also wants a deal that matches what he believes he is worth.
Front offices and star players often start far apart when talks begin. Licht addressed the situation during the team’s preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Speaking on a WFLA radio broadcast, Licht was asked how optimistic he is that Mayfield will stay in Tampa Bay.
“Very optimistic,” Licht said.
The comment offered a positive signal that negotiations may be moving in the right direction, even if nothing has been finalized.
Teams sometimes prefer to wrap up a quarterback extension before the regular season starts. Other times, discussions stretch into September or later.
Mayfield has made clear his preference to stay put. The question now is whether the two sides can agree on the numbers.
The 2025 season painted a mixed picture for both the quarterback and the franchise.
Tampa Bay looked like a legitimate NFC contender through the first eight games. Mayfield played at a high level during that stretch.
Then the team faded. Poor performances and some questionable decisions with the football drew criticism toward Mayfield.
Larger problems existed, especially on defense. Still, the late-season collapse cost the Buccaneers a playoff berth in the NFC South and raised questions about Mayfield’s long-term value.
In 2025 he completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His passer rating was 90.6.
Those numbers were solid but not elite. They help explain why the front office might want to see more before committing to a lengthy new deal.
Licht’s latest remarks suggest the organization still values Mayfield highly. At the same time, it would be understandable if Tampa Bay wanted him to prove himself again this fall.
Contract talks of this nature often include give-and-take on guaranteed money, length of the deal and incentives.
Mayfield has rebuilt his career in Tampa after earlier stops elsewhere. That history adds another layer to the negotiations.
For now, Licht’s public stance is one of confidence. The Buccaneers and their quarterback still have time to find common ground before the regular season gets fully underway.
Fans will watch closely to see whether the optimism translates into a signed contract in the coming weeks.
