Mayfield’s future is the Buccaneers’ top priority entering the offseason

TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feel they’ve built a strong foundation for continued success.

The biggest question the NFC South champions face in the coming months is whether the team’s future includes the much-traveled quarterback, who resurrected his career by replacing Tom Brady and leading the Bucs to a third straight division title.

Mayfield reiterated after Sunday’s 31-23 NFC divisional-round playoff loss to the Detroit Lions that he would like remain to with Tampa Bay after playing this season on a one-year, $4 million contract that also paid him more than $2 million in incentives.

While the Bucs are open to the prospect of a longterm deal, talks have not begun with the 28-year-old, who has played with four teams over the last three seasons.

“I love this group. I said it all year, and it’s authentic. I mean that,” Mayfield said. “It would mean a lot to bring back a lot of key pieces to get this back together, to get it to year two in a system where you can make huge strides.

“I would love that,” Mayfield added. “Obviously, who knows how it’s going to play out, but I can’t say enough about this organization for the opportunity they gave me this year. (I’m) just thankful, hoping it works out.”

The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 draft set career highs in completions (364), passing yards (4,044) and touchdowns (28) while also cutting down on costly mistakes that undermined previous stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.

The Bucs signed Mayfield in the weeks following the retirement of Brady last winter, envisioning him as a nice fit for a system being installed by incoming offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

Coach Todd Bowles notes one of the best things Mayfield did to win over the locker room was to not try to be like Brady.

“He didn’t take over for Tom. Tom retired. Baker became a quarterback on a new team with a new offensive coordinator. He took over for himself. We built it differently, ran it differently and it was run differently around him,” Bowles said.

“Again, we can’t compare Baker to Tom. Tom’s Mount Rushmore. Tom’s off on his own. We started a new system with new guys and new energy,” the coach added. “Baker carved his own mark. I’m proud of him for that.”

Bowles repeated that he would like to see Mayfield return.

“Obviously it’s too early to talk about, and business is business,” Bowles said. “But Baker had a hell of a year. We’ll see what the future holds.”