Baker Reagan Mayfield has one of the more unique trajectories in NFL history. While he came in with much fanfare and validated the hype in his first season, his play for around two years had been underwhelming, leading to tenures with 4 different teams. However, he has found a home in Tampa after team rewarded him a 3-year, $100 million deal for his successful campaign in 2023 where he led the Bucs to divisional round. He has been off to a hot start in 2024, where he threw for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns in Bucs season opener.
The hype for Mayfield began at the college level. At the University of Oklahoma, he had a solid career. While he won Freshman of the Year in 2013 for Texas Tech, he asked for a transfer to the University of Oklahoma in January 2014, which eventually led to the “Baker Mayfield Rule” coming into existence. From there on, he would put forth strong seasons, winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 along with the Burlsworth and Kellen Moore Award.
But, it was in his senior year that he truly came into his own and became poised for all-time greatness. Just for his 2017 campaign alone, he won 10 Awards. These include the Manning Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award, and the Chic Harley Award. Further, he won Player of the Year for two publications while once again winning the Offensive Player of the Year honors. He was the MVP of the Sugar Bowl and was the consensus best player in the entire collegiate landscape.
A no-doubt first-overall selection by the Cleveland Browns in 2018, Mayfield shot out of a cannon on the professional stage. During his debut game, he was responsible for the Browns winning their first game in over a year, a culmination of a 19-game losing streak. Throughout his rookie season, he was excellent, racking up 7 Rookie of the Week selections. At the end of the year, he was selected as the Rookie of The Year as well as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Unsurprisingly, he was a member of the All-Rookie Team as well. But, perhaps, the most important attribute of his season was the record-setting run for most passing touchdowns by a rookie in NFL history.
Over the next few years, Mayfield showed solid progression without truly breaking out. His most successful season was his 3rd year from a team standpoint, as he led the Browns to erase an 18-year playoff drought. Simultaneously, he also broke a nearly 3-decade long curse, leading the team to a playoff victory. However, that would be the highlight of his time in the NFL as inconsistent play led to successive trades from Cleveland and then from the Carolina Panthers. After filling in for an injured Matthew Stafford on the Rams, the Tampa Bay Buccanneers signed Mayfield to a contract to replace the retiring Tom Brady for the 2023 season.
Mayfield initially signed a four-year rookie contract worth $32.68 million in 2018. He received a signing bonus of close to $22 million with the entire contract sum being guaranteed. Due to inconsistent play and an unsavory relationship with the coaching staff, Baker was traded twice while under his rookie contract. However, his 2023 season with the Buccaneers has improved his stock which has led to a bigger deal.
Baker Mayfield Contract Breakdown
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed a new three-year deal in March 2024 that is set to earn the star signal caller a handsome $100 million. With an average annual income of $33.33 million and a $50 million guarantee, Mayfield has finally earned his first big contract after his rookie deal.
Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
3 yr(s) / $100,000,000 | $28,875,000 | $33,333,333 | $40,000,000 | $50,000,000 |
Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
2023 | $1,125,000 | $9,625,000 | $10,750,000 | $40,125,000 | $30,000,000($30,000,000) |
2024 | $30,000,000 | $9,625,000 | $39,625,000 | $29,250,000 | $30,000,000($60,000,000) |
2025 | $40,000,000 | $9,625,000 | $49,625,000 | $9,625,000 | $40,000,000($100,000,000) |
How much is Baker Mayfield getting paid?
Baker Mayfield’s current contract is earning him $33.33 million annually, on average. This is his first big contract after his rookie deal as he had to sign the previous one-year deal at less than ideal rate due to his poor performances over the years.
How much money does Baker Mayfield make a minute?
Baker Mayfield's new contract has significantly increased the amount of money he will make per minute. For the 2024-25 season, he will earn just approximately $63 per minute. These calculations are based on the amount of money per minute he will receive for the entire year and not based on how much time he plays or trains with the team as those calculations cannot be exact.
How much of Baker Mayfield’s Contract is guaranteed?
Mayfield's new three-year, $100 million contract comes with a guarantee of $50 million. He has earned $40 million of his guarantee at the time of signing.
What are the terms of Baker Mayfield’s Contract?
There are not too many terms that are associated with Mayfield's new contract. It is relatively straightforward and also comes with an annual incentive of $5 million. The terms are as follows:
- $40M guaranteed at the time signing (signing bonus + 2024 salary + $10M of 2025 salary)
- Additional $10M of 2025 compensation will become fully guaranteed in March 2025
- Annual Incentives: $5M
Baker Mayfield Previous Contracts
Prior to his 2024 contract with the Buccaneers, Mayfield had signed two contracts in the NFL. The first one he signed was his rookie deal in 2018 for a period of 4 years which was worth $32,682,980. This contract had an average annual salary of $8,170,745 and came with a signing bonus of $21,849,440 and a guarantee of $32,682,980.
Mayfield's second contract was a one-year deal with the Buccaneers in 2023 which was worth $4 million. This deal included a $2,875,000 signing bonus and a guarantee of $4 million.
Year | Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
2018 - 2022 | 4 yr(s) / $32,682,980 | $21,849,440 | $8,170,745 | $32,682,980 | $32,682,980 |
2023 - 2023 | 1 yr(s) / $4,000,000 | $2,875,000 | $4,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $4,000,000 |
Baker Mayfield Contract FAQs
A: Baker Mayfield’s win-loss record before the start of the 2024 season is 40-46.