Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Labeled as NFL's 'Most Underpaid'
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Labeled as NFL's 'Most Underpaid' originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jason Licht signed journeyman veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield to a one-year "prove-it" deal in 2023 after the retirement of legendary signal caller Tom Brady.
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And "prove it" he did.
Mayfield made just $4 million in his first season in Tampa Bay, posting a 64.3 completion percentage with a career-high 4,044 yards and career-best 28 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions. He made his first Pro Bowl and finished third in NFL Comeback Player of the Year voting.
The 9-8 record and fourth straight playoff appearance, including a third consecutive division title for the Bucs, earned Mayfield a three-year, $100 million deal from Licht.
In his first year under his new contract, he posted career highs again with 4,500. yards and 41 touchdowns while completing a career-best 71.4 percent of his passes.
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That's got Mayfield as an honorable mention of sorts on NFL.com's players who most deserve a raise in 2025.
"I didn't want to include Mayfield in The Official List of 10 above, because there are no signs as of now that he will actually get a raise just one year after inking his current contract," NFL.com wrote. "But I did want to squeeze in a little discussion of him here, because he undoubtedly should make more than $33.33 million per year, which puts him below Sam Darnold, Geno Smith and Kirk Cousins on the contracts table. And, yes, that APY is roughly $20 million per year less than what Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff and Brock Purdy are receiving. In 2024, Mayfield was one of three QBs (joining Goff and Joe Burrow) to throw for 4,500-plus yards, while his 41 TD passes tied him for the second-most in the NFL (with Jackson, behind Burrow's 43).
"Whatever you think about QB pay -- to me, every player above Mayfield absolutely deserves every penny of what the market will bear -- Mayfield's current pact stands out as a jaw-dropping discount for the Bucs."
Related: Buccaneers Offensive Duo Named in NFL's Top 5
Related: Graham Barton Graded as Weak Link in Buccaneers Offensive Line
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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