The Tampa Bay Buccaneers season is over, but the most important decision of their offseason is only beginning.
After beating Carolina in Week 18 but still missing the playoffs, the organization now turns toward a looming question that will shape the direction of the franchise:
As Athlon Sports noted, what comes next for Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield?
Mayfield’s contract runs through the 2026 season, meaning Tampa Bay is not forced into an immediate move.
Still, the way 2025 unfolded, particularly the dramatic split between his first and second halves, makes this offseason a natural inflection point.
The Bucs must decide whether Mayfield is their long-term answer, a short-term bridge, or something in between.
A Tale of Two Seasons
Early in the year, Mayfield looked like one of the best QB’s in the NFL and was even a frontrunner for the MVP at a point in time.
Through the season’s first six weeks, he was playing some of the best football of his career, leading the Bucs to a 5-1 record and clear control of the NFC South.
He was efficient and aggressive downfield, thriving in a system that appeared to be tailored to his strengths.
All was well in the world, until it wasn’t.
Over the second half of the season, Mayfield’s play declined sharply as the Bucs collapsed from a 6-2 start into an 8-9 finish.
His full-season line includes 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
His numbers are somewhat respectable, but it hides the late-season drop-off.
During Tampa Bay’s four-game losing streak in December, Mayfield threw five interceptions and struggled in key moments.
In his last ten games of the season, he threw for less than 205 pass yards seven times.
Nine of his 11 interceptions on the season came in the team’s last eight games.
His late season struggles have reinforced concerns about inconsistency that have followed him throughout his career.
As one league executive put it, late-season performance often carries major weight when front offices sit down to make franchise-defining decisions.
Coaching Uncertainty Could Shape Mayfield’s Fate
Complicating matters is the uncertain future of head coach Todd Bowles.
Whether Bowles returns or not could directly influence Mayfield’s standing with the franchise.
A coaching change, especially one involving an offensive-minded hire, could reset the evaluation entirely.
Some coaches may see Mayfield as a proven veteran with playoff experience, while others may prefer a clean slate at quarterback.
That uncertainty also opens the door to alternatives.
With a top-15 pick in the upcoming draft and meaningful cap flexibility, Tampa Bay has options.
The Buccaneers could explore drafting a quarterback to develop behind Mayfield, or potentially identify a younger successor to move on from Baker.
College prospects like Dante Moore and Ty Simpson represent the type of upside swings the front office may at least evaluate if they choose to go full reset mode.
For now, the Buccaneers don’t need to rush.
But entering 2026 without clarity at quarterback could create lingering uncertainty about the team’s future.
Mayfield has been a really solid QB for Tampa over the last three seasons and has helped steady the franchise after Tom Brady retired.
Yet the second-half collapse leaves real doubt about how high his ceiling truly is.
The Bucs offseason will be defined by change, and no question looms larger than the one at the quarterback position.
Buccaneers Face Critical Offseason Decision Regarding Baker Mayfield