Buccaneers Face $47.7 Million Tag Decision on Baker Mayfield as 2027 Free Agency Looms
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Jul 31
Buccaneers Face $47.7 Million Tag Decision on Baker Mayfield as 2027 Free Agency Looms
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Jul 31
Summary
$47.7 million is the projected 2027 franchise tag for Baker Mayfield, giving Tampa Bay a costly way to keep exclusive control if no extension is reached after the 2026 season.
Using the tag would push Mayfield's 2027 cap hit to $77.85 million when combined with a $30.15 million dead-money charge on his current deal, though the Buccaneers could still tag and trade him.
Mayfield's camp has pointed to quarterback deals above $50 million a year — including Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence at $55 million and Brock Purdy at $53 million — but veterans changing teams rarely land that level on the open market.
The 2026 season is likely to decide the outcome: a stronger year would raise Mayfield's market value and also increase Tampa Bay's incentive to tag him rather than let him walk.
If the Buccaneers move on, their current in-house options are Jake Browning, Jalon Daniels and Connor Bazelak, underscoring that a 2027 split would likely force a search for a new starter.