Bowles backs Mayfield as long-term QB amid talks
Key takeaways
- Though that doesn't preclude negotiations after the season, Mayfield would become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if no new deal is struck.
- Mayfield emphasized, "It's not up to me when that gets done by."
- The Bucs are 27-24 (.529) with Mayfield as their starter.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Bowles' comments come after Mayfield said last week that he and the Bucs are "not anywhere close to what we were thinking" regarding a new deal heading into the 2026 season, the final year of his three-year deal worth $100 million.
Mayfield and his agent, Tom Mills, have said they would like a new deal done before training camp and that if they don't have one before his reporting date, which is expected to be the final week in July, they would shut down any negotiations so he could focus on football. Though that doesn't preclude negotiations after the season, Mayfield would become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if no new deal is struck.
Mayfield emphasized, "It's not up to me when that gets done by."