Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 'slowly making progress' on new deal, per report

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got some good news on Wednesday evening regarding their franchise quarterback, Baker Mayfield. According to Jenna Laine of ESPN, both sides were reportedly ‘slowly’ making progress on a new deal. The legal negotiation window opens up on March 11th, which is when other teams can try and negotiate with the former Oklahoma star.

They’ve still got a few days to work out a deal. Mayfield had the best season of his career thus far this year for the Bucs, completing 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 yards, while tossing 28 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. His breakout season not only led Tampa Bay back to the NFL Playoffs, but they made it to the Divisional Round, where they were knocked out by the Detroit Lions in a classic game. He also made the 2023 Pro Bowl.

Mayfield played a critical role in leading the Bucs to their third straight division title. Last year was the fourth time in his NFL career that he’s thrown for over 3,500 yards. He did that with the Cleveland Browns in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Since 2018 in the NFL, Mayfield has completed 61.9% of his passes for 20,332 yards, while tossing 130 touchdowns with 74 interceptions. As a runner, the former Oklahoma star has 251 carries for 823 yards and seven touchdowns.

When Mayfield suited up for the Crimson and Cream — he became yet another iconic member of Sooners’ football lore. In the 2017 season, he threw for 4,340 passing yards, while tossing in 41 touchdowns and just five interceptions en route to bringing home the Heisman Trophy. Mayfield led Oklahoma to a 12-1 record that season and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.

He began his college football career as a walk-on for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mayfield was the first walk-on true freshman to start a FBS season opener at the quarterback position.

According to the On3 Industry Rankings for the 2013 class, Mayfield was rated as a three-star prospect and was also ranked as the No. 63 quarterback prospect in America. In high school, he starred for the Lake Travis Cavaliers (Austin, Texas). During his final two seasons at Lake Travis, he led them to a 25-2 overall record and won the 2011 4A state championship. When he wrapped up his high school career, he’d thrown for 6,255 passing yards, while tossing in 67 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions.