Coach Todd Bowles made it clear Thursday there is no question he wants Baker Mayfield to remain Tampa Bay’s quarterback long term. The comment follows Mayfield’s admission that contract talks are “not anywhere close to what we were thinking” as the 2026 season approaches, the final year of his three‑year, $100 million pact. Bowles said the stalled negotiations have not dented Mayfield’s play.

Mayfield arrived on a one‑year “prove‑it” deal worth up to $8.5 million in 2023, then guided the Bucs to NFC South crowns in 2023 and 2024 after Tom Brady’s retirement. He holds a 27‑24 (.529) starter record. In Thursday’s OTA, he threw two touchdowns to Chris Godwin Jr. in a 7‑on‑7 drill and joined the Color & Cut Funds the Cure charity, where survivors sprayed his hair red.

Agent Tom Mills has pressed for a new contract before training camp; if an agreement isn’t reached by the final week of July, Mayfield will suspend negotiations to focus on football. Without a deal, he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Bowles said the organization loves Mayfield, trusts the business side will resolve itself, and that his on‑field production remains the priority.