Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said there's "absolutely no question" he wants Baker Mayfield as the team's long-term quarterback.
"Baker's all business. He's all about business," Bowles said Thursday, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "The contract stuff takes care of itself. That's the business side of it that you don't see, that everybody has to deal with, and I'm sure he'll take care of it, but it doesn't affect his play."
Mayfield recently acknowledged that the two sides aren't close to reaching an agreement, adding that he set the start of training camp as his deadline to finalize an extension.
The 31-year-old is entering the final campaign of a three-year, $100-million contract he signed in March 2024. He initially joined Tampa Bay on a one-year, $4-million deal in 2023.
Mayfield went 8-9 in 17 starts last season while throwing for 3,693 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
He started 2025 as an MVP candidate, but his play tailed off in the second half of the campaign, with Tampa Bay missing the playoffs for the first time in five years. From Weeks 11-18, Mayfield ranked 26th in passer rating and 29th in interceptions among 30 qualifying quarterbacks, according to TruMedia.
"I mean, he loves it here. We love him here," Bowles said. "The contract stuff takes care of itself, whether it's the quarterback or any other position that comes up - those things get worked out over time."
Tampa Bay has posted a 27-24 record with Mayfield as its starting quarterback.
