What happened: Tampa Bay will enter the 2026 season with Mayfield's contract still unresolved, leaving him in the final year of the three-year, $100 million agreement he signed in 2024. His self-imposed July 28 deadline passed without an extension, ending the offseason talks.
Why it matters: Mayfield is on course for free agency in March, putting his 2026 performance at the center of the next negotiation. The impasse leaves Tampa Bay without long-term certainty at quarterback.
By the numbers: The contract averages $33.3 million per year and included $50 million guaranteed.
What to watch: Watch whether either side reopens talks before the season; otherwise, the contract year will shape Mayfield's 2027 market.