Buccaneers Create $15 Million Cap Space By Restructuring Baker Mayfield’s Contract

Buccaneers Turn to Baker Mayfield’s Contract for Major Cap Relief

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just pulled off a significant financial maneuver by restructuring quarterback Baker Mayfield’s deal, freeing up $15 million against next year’s salary cap. This isn’t just a technical move—it’s a show of faith in Mayfield and a sign the team is fine-tuning its roster for both present and future ambitions.

Mayfield turned 30 this month, so he’s smack in the prime of his career. After a breakout 2024 campaign where he racked up 41 touchdown passes, the Bucs didn’t hesitate to lock him in with a three-year, $100 million contract, which put him near the middle of the pack for quarterback salaries. But NFL front offices never stop juggling the books. With roster costs rising and new deals looming for key players, Tampa Bay needed some flexibility—and Mayfield’s deal provided the blueprint.

The contract adjustment focused on 2025, when Mayfield was lined up to count a hefty $38.275 million against the team’s cap. To soften that hit, the Buccaneers converted $30 million of his 2025 base pay into a guaranteed roster bonus—effectively pushing that money up front. With his base salary in 2025 dropping to just $2 million, his salary cap charge for that year shrinks way down to $23.875 million. Suddenly, Tampa has breathing room to address other needs or make a splash in free agency.

Mayfield’s Guarantees Grow—and So Does Tampa’s Flexibility

There’s more to this than just salary math. Mayfield picked up an extra $10 million in payment guarantees for 2025, lifting his total contract assurance to $60 million. And because he stuck around on the roster through the first week of the league year, those guarantees are now cemented. This nod from the franchise isn’t just payroll wizardry—it’s symbolic of the confidence Mayfield earned with his record-shattering performances last year. He stepped into the starting role and re-energized the offense, leaving little question about his place as the team’s franchise quarterback.

The Bucs also added a so-called "void year" in 2029, a step that spreads out the financial burden from the newly recalculated signing bonus. While the money is still paid up front, those cap hits stretch into the future, lightening the load for the next few seasons. It’s a tactic that gets mixed reactions around the league, but for teams in a win-now mindset or facing tight budgets, it’s a logical path.

This Mayfield move isn’t happening in isolation. Tampa Bay recently shuffled contracts for key defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. and cornerstone lineman Tristan Wirfs as part of a wider cap management strategy. The front office is clearly focused on keeping the core intact while maintaining the freedom to tweak the roster as situations change—whether that means adding a veteran free agent, re-signing an emerging star, or riding out a tough financial year.

As the Buccaneers look beyond 2025, these contract moves keep their options wide open. Mayfield’s reworked deal balances loyalty and flexibility, giving him job security and big-time guarantees, while positioning the Bucs to adapt if his performance keeps trending upwards or circumstances shift on the fly. For now, both team and quarterback seem locked in—banking on continued success and a run at the top of the NFC.