If there’s one thing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers proved this season, it’s that Baker Mayfield still has what it takes to become a cornerstone for an NFL franchise. Thanks to his passing and leadership, he was able to accelerate the Bucs’ rebuild and compete in the NFC Divisional Round against the Detroit Lions.

However, the question for the team now zeroes into one thing.

Can they keep the quarterback they helped bring back to relevance for 2024 and beyond?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield Problem
Baker Mayfield was supposed to be a transitory signal-caller that would allow Todd Bowles to look for another QB in the upcoming draft. When the former first-overall pick performed better than expected, the team’s focus turned to keeping the 28-year-old in Tampa.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have shown that they have the environment and the weapons Baker needs to compete for the Super Bowl. If the team needs additional firepower, they can head to the draft to address them.

Mayfield, who finished the season with 4044 passing yards and 28 TDs, will feel right at home with the team and help them keep their place atop the NFC South.

However, Scott Reynolds of the Pewter Report reveals the problem that might stop them from re-signing Mayfield:

If Mayfield truly wants to return to Tampa Bay, the Bucs will gladly re-sign him. But if he wants to maximize his value and test free agency, then it could cause two problems.

First, it might cost the Bucs more to ultimately re-sign him. What if the Bucs want to re-sign Mayfield around $25 million per year and he hits free agency and commands a contract around $30 million or more? If the Bucs decide to match and invest $5 million more than they had budgeted, it might mean they can’t sign another free agent they want to add.

The Atlanta Falcons also have a leverage on Mayfield
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t the only team in the NFC South that has a vested interest in Mayfield. The Atlanta Falcons might also be in the running.

Reynolds explains the Falcons’ chances:

Zac Robinson, who was Mayfield’s QBs coach for the end of the 2022 season in Los Angeles, is the new Falcons offensive coordinator. Atlanta has two very good tight ends in Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith, an emerging wide receiver in Drake London and two great backs in Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

If both teams decide to pursue Mayfield, it wouldn’t be strange for the Bucs to pay more than $25 million just to keep him. That would be a situation the team might not be comfortable living with.