Baker Mayfield partners with SONIC for new All-American SONIC Smasher
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is teaming up with SONIC, featuring their new All-American SONIC Smasher and $6 Meal.
The NFL has a strict stance on gambling, even going so far as to implement its own policy and set of rules for the activity. That hasn’t stopped veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield from betting on himself.
By shutting the door on contract extension negotiations now, Mayfield is planning to let his work speak for itself in 2026 to earn a significant pay day ahead of 2027.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were unable to reach an agreement with Mayfield on an extension prior to the start of the team’s training camp on Tuesday, July 28. The Buccaneers’ starting signal-caller plans to play out the final year of his contract in 2026 and hit free agency next year, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person was granted their anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the decision.
Mayfield would not hit free agency until the start of the new league year on March 11, 2027. The Buccaneers would have the option to place their franchise tag on the quarterback as early as three weeks before then, which is the likely outcome unless Mayfield has a no-tag clause in his contract.
Mayfield, 31, is entering the final season of the three-year, $100 million contract extension he signed in 2024. The former No. 1 overall pick said in early June that early contract negotiations were happening but “not anywhere close to what we were thinking.” At the time, he said he had set a deadline for the start of training camp to get an extension done.
“Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal, but they know my deadline is as soon as training camp starts, Mayfield said. “We’re not doing any contract stuff, it’s all ball. So, it’s not up to me when that gets done. So, hopefully before that. If not, we’re still gonna have a good year.”
It’s not the first time Mayfield has chosen to bet on himself. In 2023, the first season after Tom Brady retired, Mayfield took a prove-it deal – a one-year, $4 million contract with the Buccaneers – to compete for the team’s starting job as Brady’s successor. He’s since started all 51 games for Tampa Bay in the last three regular seasons, in addition to three playoff starts.
The 2026 season will be Mayfield’s fourth with the Bucs, which would match his career-opening stint with the Cleveland Browns for his longest tenure with any team. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner also made six starts for the Carolina Panthers and four starts for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
Baker Mayfield contract
Mayfield signed a three-year extension after playing out a one-year, $4 million deal with the Buccaneers in 2023. Here’s how his current contract, which is set to expire after this year, looks by the numbers:
- Term: 3 years
- Total value: $100 million
- Average annual value (AAV): $33.33 million
- Guaranteed money: $50 million
In addition to the money Mayfield was guaranteed when signing the deal, the veteran quarterback also has earned several performance incentive bonuses worth $2.5 million, according to Spotrac.
Mayfield is due to become a free agent next offseason. His contract includes void years in 2027 and 2028, both of which will trigger on Feb. 16, 2027, per Spotrac. That’s two days after the Super Bowl and one day before teams can start designating franchise tags. The Buccaneers would likely place the franchise tag on Mayfield ahead of the start of free agency on March 11, 2027 barring a no-tag clause in his current contract.
Baker Mayfield stats
One year after setting career highs in touchdown passes (41), passing yards (4,500) and completion rate (71.4%) in 2024, Mayfield came out of the gates hot in 2025. Through the first six weeks of the season, he was among favorites for the NFL MVP award. His 12 touchdowns and one interception helped the Buccaneers get out to a 5-1 record.
Down the stretch, Mayfield and the Buccaneers struggled, ultimately missing the playoffs when they finished 8-9.
Here’s how Mayfield’s stats looked in 2025:
- Games (starts): 17 (17)
- Completion rate: 343-for-543 (63.2%)
- Passing yards: 3,693
- Touchdowns: 26
- Interceptions: 11
- Sacks (yards lost): 36 (234)
- Rushing: 55 attempts for 382 yards (6.9 yards per attempt) and one touchdown
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