Mayfield will stay with Bucs with new deal
TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield is staying with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after agreeing to a three-year contract worth up to $115 million.
The Tampa Bay Times reported Mayfield will receive $30 million in 2024 and $30 million in 2025, with $20 million guaranteed in the second year of the deal. The quarterback’s salary would increase to $40 million in 2026, the newspaper said.
The Bucs and Mayfield’s agent, Tom Mills, made significant progress in negotiations on Saturday and Sunday, preventing him from becoming available when the freeagent negotiation period begins Monday.
Mayfield resurrected his career in 2023 after joining the Bucs on a one-year contract following the retirement of Tom Brady and leading the the team to its third consecutive NFC South title.
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 draft threw for a career-best 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns while cutting down on costly mistakes that undermined previous stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.
Mayfield agreed to terms two days after Tampa Bay finalized a twoyear, $52 million contract with star receiver Mike Evans.
■ Steelers: Quarterback Russell Wilson plans to sign a one-year, team-friendly deal with Pittsburgh, according to a report from ESPN. Wilson, who is being released by the Denver Broncos, will have $38 million of his salary paid by his former team.
Wilson will be joining current starter Kenny Pickett as the only quarterbacks on the Steelers roster.
■ Jaguars: Jacksonville has agreed to acquire New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones for a sixth-round pick in next month’s NFL draft.
The trade cannot become official until the new league year begins Wednesday and after Jones passes a physical.
Jones will vie with 30-year-old C.J. Beathard for the team’s backup spot behind starter Trevor Lawrence.
The Jaguars are unlikely to keep both on their 53-man roster to start the season.
Jones, the 15th overall pick in the 2021 draft, flamed out spectacularly last season and was eventually replaced by Bailey Zappe. Jones went 2-9 in 11 starts in 2023, throwing for 2,120 yards with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
■ Eagles: Fletcher Cox is calling it a career after spending 12 seasons exclusively with Philadelphia, helping lead the team to a Super Bowl LII victory.
The 33-year-old defensive tackle announced his retirement on social media on Sunday morning, thanking the franchise, its fans, his teammates, and family for their support throughout his four-time All-pro and six-time Pro Bowl career.
In total, Cox played 188 regular-season games with the Eagles, which ranks second in franchise history behind longtime former teammate Brandon Graham.
His announcement comes one week after veteran center Jason Kelce also walked away.
■ Chiefs: Chris Jones has signed a five-year contract to remain with Kansas City. The deal, announced Saturday, includes a $95 million guarantee, making Jones the highest paid defensive lineman in NFL history. Jones, 29, selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft from Mississippi State, has played eight seasons. He has 75½ career sacks and has won three Super Bowl rings.
■ Bears: Chicago added Kevin Byard to their secondary, agreeing to a two-year contract with the veteran safety. Byard, 30, played for Tennessee and Philadelphia last season, finishing with 122 tackles and one interception in 16 starts. Chicago also re-signed long snapper Patrick Scales to a one-year deal, pending a physical. He is going into his ninth season with the Bears.