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SportsFading · day 3

ESPN's Solak: Buccaneers already regret Baker Mayfield's $165M extension

After 0-2 start, analyst questions whether Tampa should have waited to extend its struggling QB.

newest coverage 17h agosummary written 19h ago7 pieces NewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • Baker Mayfield signed a three-year, $165 million extension before the 2026 season, securing $55 million per year after a public contract dispute.
  • Through two games, Mayfield is 0-2 with poor efficiency metrics (45.4 QBR, 27th in NFL), and ESPN's Ben Solak argues the Buccaneers should have waited to evaluate his performance before committing.
  • Analysts note the Buccaneers could have paid a comparable amount or less had they waited to see Mayfield perform with a healthy roster, given his inconsistent track record since 2024.

Baker MayfieldBaker Mayfield Buccaneers quarterbackBen Solak ESPN analystDamien Harris CBS Sports analystTampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team

ESPN's Solak: Buccaneers already regret Baker Mayfield's $165M extension
Yahoo Sports

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 2 pieces in one hour at Sep 22, 7 AM; 7 pieces over 3 days (7 articles) Sep 21, 1 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 1 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Sep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Newswires 2Sep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Yesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Yesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quiet 12
Sep 22yesterdaynow · 3:48 AM ET
  1. 2

    CBS Sports' Harris calls Mayfield unworthy of contract value

    CBS Sports analyst Damien Harris characterized Mayfield as too inconsistent to be trusted at his current salary level, adding to early criticism of the extension's value.

    “Damien Harris of CBS Sports bluntly said Mayfield isn't worth the amount of money he signed for, calling him too inconsistent to be trusted.”
    — Yahoo Sports, Sports news outlet · source
    1. 1 outlet Analyst Believes Buccaneers are Regretting Baker Mayfield's Deal

      first by Yahoo Sports, 20h ago

  2. 1

    Solak argues Buccaneers already regretting Mayfield deal

    ESPN analyst Ben Solak published analysis stating the Buccaneers might already regret the extension, arguing the team should have waited until after the 2026 season to evaluate Mayfield's performance before committing the money. Solak notes that a strong 2026 season would not have cost the team significantly more than the $55 million annually they committed.

    “I think ... the Buccaneers are already regretting that Baker Mayfield deal. Mayfield has not played well through the first two games of the season.”
    — Ben Solak
    1. 3 outlets Bucs Already ‘Regret’ Baker Mayfield’s $165 Million Contract

      first by heavy.com, 1d ago · also Yahoo Sports, Sporting News

      1 more headline
  3. background

    Buccaneers fall to 0-2 after loss to Browns — Tampa Bay lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, extending its record to 0-2 after losses to Cincinnati and Cleveland. Mayfield threw for 398 yards with one touchdown and one interception, posting a 45.4 QBR ranking 27th in the NFL.

  4. background

    Buccaneers sign Mayfield to three-year, $165M extension — Shortly before the 2026 season began, Tampa Bay gave quarterback Baker Mayfield a new three-year contract worth $165 million, securing $55 million per year after public contract dispute negotiations.