The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mayfield finally finds a home in Tampa Bay
Well-traveled QB bet on himself in 2023 — and it paid off for him, team.
TAMPA — On a sun-kissed Sunday afternoon, overlooking the bluest water in Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield sat at a table at Salt Shack with his wife, Emily, and dialed Bucs general manager Jason Licht with one career-defining question.
“Are we getting this done, or what?”
“I think he was a little caught off-guard because the few texts before that between each other were not exactly as positive of an outlook on it,” Mayfield said. He was excited, as was I.”
By then, the details of Mayfield’s three-year, $100 million contract were all but ironed out.
The Mayfields were joined for lunch by standout left tackle Tristan Wirfs and his girlfriend, Meredith Sutton. Soon, the party grew to include new offensive coordinator Liam Coen and assistant offensive line coach Brian Picucci.
“It was so surreal sitting there at lunch with Emily, Tristan and Meredith, some of our closest friends, obviously, and just to have that relief,” Mayfield said Wednesday. “It’s the community feel. That’s a big thing. We celebrated in there, so people said, ‘Congrats,’ because it just popped up on the ticker.
“But it was awesome to be able to look on the water. That’s the reason it makes this place so special. Everybody wants to be together, outside enjoying the weather, obviously.”
Mayfield, the former Heisman winner and No. 1 overall draft pick who played for the Browns, Panthers, Rams and Bucs in a span of less than 18 months, finally is at home in Tampa Bay.
He and Emily — who is expecting their first child, a girl, in April — already had decided to remain in the area regardless of where his next job would be.
A year ago, Mayfield decided to bet on himself and agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract to compete with Kyle Trask for the Bucs’ starting job.
Now it has paid off.
First on the field, where Mayfield passed for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Bucs to the NFC South title and a win over the Eagles in the wildcard round of the playoffs. And now he has cashed in with what he called “generational money,” a contract that includes $50 million guaranteed.
Licht said coach Todd Bowles blew up his phone last year, trying to make sure the Bucs landed Mayfield.
“We had a lot of confidence in him,” Licht said. “But nobody had more confidence than Baker. ... He had us circled as the best place to go. We had him circled as the best player to follow the legend, Tom Brady. How many quarterbacks would have the confidence to do that?”
Mayfield said the negotiation process was hard on him at times.
“There were times, a couple days prior, where we didn’t know if we were going to be able to get it done before free agency hits,” Mayfield said. “It was a lot of ups and downs before, and finally we were able to call Mike (Evans).
“Tristan was sitting there, so he knew pretty quick. I texted (center Robert) Hainsey and (tackle) Luke (Goedeke), but just called Mike and some of the guys who were huge factors in my success last year. It’s just an exciting feeling that we were able to get these guys back together.”
Wednesday, Mayfield sat next to Licht at the news conference officially announcing his signing. He was wearing a plain white T-shirt and a hat with “Tampa Bay” embroidered upside down, produced by a local company the Bucs’ GM has invested in.
Licht credited Mayfield for helping the Bucs navigate the start of the post-Brady era while maintaining their mastery of the division. It wasn’t easy. After a 3-1 start, the Bucs lost six of their next seven games before rallying behind Mayfield.
“He set the tone for the team,” Licht said.
Mayfield knows duplicating the success he and the Bucs had won’t be as easy in 2024.
In addition to having a new offensive coordinator and a firstplace schedule that includes the Chiefs, 49ers and Ravens, the NFC South has gotten better. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will have former Bucs coordinator Dave Canales in his corner as coach. The Falcons added freeagent quarterback Kirk Cousins, and Derek Carr is in his second season with the Saints, who also finished 9-8 in 2023.
“A lot more winning records,” Mayfield said. “It’s going to be just as competitive . ... We’re going to have to take care of business. That’s the thing. We’ve set the standard in this division for a while now, and we’re trying to keep it that way.”
The Bucs’ offseason with respect to free agency has been about just that — holding their ground in the division by re-signing their free agents that they consider elite. It began by designating safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as their franchise player while continuing to negotiate a long-term deal. They then re-signed Evans, Mayfield, linebacker Lavonte David and kicker Chase McLaughlin; they also brought back role players such as defensive tackle Greg Gaines and running back Chase Edmonds.
“This is one of the greatest freeagency hauls ever, and it’s our own guys,” Licht said. “We have some Hall of Famers in there — Mike, Lavonte — it has been incredible . ... I think it is time that the national media realize we have some great players.”
The enormous contract and weight as defending division champions won’t lessen Mayfield’s resolve. He said he thrives on the pressure and being discounted.
“Obviously, you want to set your expectations even higher because you demand that of yourself, competing in this high-level business,” Mayfield said. “Obviously, I’m very happy with the financial aspect of it. But I want to make it something we’re all striving to do, which is win a Super Bowl.
“That’s a big reason why guys didn’t test the open market. Guys came back here . ... We have to continue to work together and build on what we have and improve that. You’re never satisfied with it. You’re always trying to be hungry, and I think we have the right group to do that.”