Mayfield reported to training camp Tuesday, as all Bucs veterans were scheduled to do.But for Mayfield, this day might have signaled the end of his desire to engage with the team about a new contract.The Bucs and Mayfield do not practice until Wednesday but they may be already past the deadline Mayfield imposed for getting a new deal done before turning his attention to football.Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (6) and Kyle Trask (2) go thru a drill during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers OTA Offseason Workouts on May 30, 2023 at the AdventHealth Training Center at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida.
(Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)PRO BOWL PLAYER REQUESTS TRADE FROM TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS ON EVE OF TRAINING CAMP AMID CONTRACT DISPUTEAnd football only."Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal done, but they know my deadline," Mayfield told reporters weeks ago."As soon as training camp starts, we're not doing any contract stuff.
It's all ball.It's not up to me when that gets done by.
Hopefully before that, but if not – still going to have a good year."Multiple reports citing unnamed sources said Mayfield reporting to training camp without a new deal was his red line.It means he intends to play out the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent.That's a big deal.Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield responds to questions during a news conference after the team's NFL football game against the Houston Texans Monday, Sept.
15, 2025, in Houston, Texas.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)It means Mayfield is now figuratively betting on himself in the coming season, letting his performance determine what sort of contract he gets after the season.
This could reward him with the kind of deal he's been trying to convince Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht to offer – a deal that pays in the mid-to-high $50 million per year on an annual average basis.Or this could penalize Mayfield with a mid-tier sort of deal, a...