The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have realized they won’t find many quarterbacks who are better than Baker Mayfield. The Minnesota Vikings wish they could say the same after letting Sam Darnold walk in 2025.
Mayfield, who was set to enter 2026 on the last year of his contract, signed a three-year, $165M extension with the Buccaneers on Tuesday. That’s a surprise after contract negotiations stalled earlier this offseason, and Mayfield issued a fiery response.
Recent history may have changed Tampa Bay’s mind. The Vikings didn’t re-sign Darnold (now with the Seattle Seahawks) in free agency in 2025, despite leading the team to a 14-3 record in 2024. They’re still regretting that one.
Vikings’ Sam Darnold gaffe may have made Buccaneers reconsider Baker Mayfield plans
The Vikings turned to 2024 No. 10 pick J.J. McCarthy to replace Darnold. He flopped in 2025, going 6-4 in 10 starts but throwing more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (11). Minnesota finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs.
McCarthy lost the starting QB battle to Kyler Murray in training camp. Murray, 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year, may salvage his career under head coach Kevin O’Connell, a QB guru. The Vikings still wish they had kept Darnold, who went 14-3 with the Seahawks and won his first Super Bowl last season.
Most league insiders consider Mayfield and Darnold the same caliber of player. In his annual QB tiers — featuring opinions from coaches and executives — The Athletic’s Mike Sando placed Mayfield and Darnold in Tier 2. The tiers are numbered 1-5, with 1 being the best and 5 the worst.
Some of the numbers support that ranking. Over the past two seasons, Mayfield has ranked fourth in the NFL in passing yards (8,193), behind Darnold (8,367), Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (8,469) and Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff (9,193).
Darnold has led the league in wins (28) during this span, while Mayfield has ranked 10th (18). Last season, the Buccaneers star went 8-9 and failed to lead his team to the playoffs. Keep in mind he battled a left shoulder issue last season. If he can stay healthy in 2025, he may rebound and carry Tampa on a postseason run.
Did the Buccaneers overpay Mayfield? Sure, but only slightly. Spotrac estimated his market value at $53.6M annually before signing the extension, which pays him $55M annually. It’s still a worthwhile investment for Tampa.
QB is the most valuable commodity in the NFL. Teams without a clear answer at QB wish they had one. Look no further than the Vikings, who will again be seeking one next offseason if Murray flops. The Buccaneers could’ve been in the same position if they had let Mayfield play out the last year of his contract and didn’t re-sign him in free agency.
