Baker Mayfield has placed contract negotiations with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on hold until the end of the season after the two sides failed to reach an agreement before his self-imposed training camp deadline.

Mayfield is entering the final year of the three-year, $100m contract he signed in 2024, having hoped to settle his long-term future well before the Buccaneers returned to the practice field this week. Instead, the 31-year-old will begin his ninth NFL season knowing he could once again become a free agent next March.

The impasse has clearly disappointed Mayfield, who believes both his performance and influence since arriving in Tampa have established him as the franchise’s long-term quarterback in the wake of Tom Brady. However, he told reporters after Thursday’s training camp practice that he will not allow the unresolved negotiations to linger over the team.

“It’s disappointing to say the least, but it’s ball [from] here and I know I’m going to have a good year,” Mayfield said. “I know this team, the things that we went through last year put us in a good spot for this year.

“Depth-wise, a lot of guys have been thrown to the fire, to be able to grow and learn fast. It didn’t go the way we wanted, but it’s a new season and it’s going to help us in the long run this year. Added some new pieces, so I’m excited about it. It’s all ball from here.”

The failure to agree terms leaves an important part of Tampa Bay’s future unresolved at a time when Mayfield appeared to have found the permanence that eluded him following his departure from Cleveland. After brief spells with Carolina and the Los Angeles Rams, the former first overall draft pick joined the Buccaneers on a one-year contract in 2023, reviving a career that had stalled following the Browns’ decision to trade for Deshaun Watson and earning a new deal to succeed Brady as the central figure in Tampa Bay’s offense.

Mayfield has thrown for 12,237 yards and 95 touchdowns during his three seasons with the Buccaneers. Only one NFL quarterback has produced more touchdown passes over that period, while Mayfield ranks third in passing yardage. He also helped Tampa Bay win consecutive NFC South titles in his first two seasons before the club missed out to Carolina on a tiebreaker last year. That record has left Mayfield convinced he has done enough to warrant a further commitment.

“I’ve been pretty upfront and honest about my feelings about Tampa, it being home for our family, raising kids here,” he said. “We love it here. I wanted a deal done and set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that, and I did mean that.

“I’m at the point in my career, understanding what I’ve brought to this franchise. One, I’m very thankful for the chance they gave me — do not get me wrong on that. But I also know, I really know, what I’ve brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and even play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career, and I think it’s only going to trend upwards.”

Mayfield’s position is strengthened by the language Tampa Bay has previously used to describe him. Club officials have repeatedly portrayed the quarterback as a long-term foundation piece, only for negotiations to end without a contract reflecting that status.

“I think I’m a franchise quarterback,” Mayfield said. “I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here, so to not have a deal done is very disappointing.

“But I said the deadline is the deadline. I addressed the team to let them know it’s all ball. I’m with these guys. I think all the guys that have been here know who I am [but, for] the guys who are new here, I wanted to address that, because they might have had a notion prior to coming here about who I am as a person. But it’s all team. It’s all about winning here now and what we’re going to do.”

The timing creates risk for both parties. Tampa Bay could allow an established starter to reach the open market without an obvious successor in place, while Mayfield must navigate an entire season without the security of another contract. It is a position he has occupied before, however. His initial move to Tampa was effectively an opportunity to repair his standing around the league, and the success of that gamble provides some explanation for his willingness to let another season determine his value.

Mayfield also believes he is entering camp in the best physical condition of his career and expects the Buccaneers to rebound from a difficult 2025 season. Tampa Bay has installed Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator and hopes for better health after injuries repeatedly disrupted its line and receiving corps last year.

“I’m excited,” Mayfield said. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, in a really good place and feeling really confident with the staff that Todd’s put together. We’re going to have a really, really good team.”

A strong campaign would make retaining Mayfield more expensive and potentially expose the Buccaneers to competition from quarterback-needy clubs. For now, however, Mayfield insists the financial consequences will not become his reason for playing.

“Money should never be the motivation in football,” Mayfield said. “It’s how do I help this team win. [Money] is never going to be the motivation for me, when it comes to having a chip on your shoulder and all that. For me, it just puts me in the mindset of betting on myself, and that’s something I’m pretty familiar with.”