Joe Haden Says Bucs Should Pay Baker Mayfield $25-30 Million Per Year

Baker Mayfield had quite a comeback year in 2023. And according to ex-Steelers cornerback Joe Haden, he's earned a monster paycheck.

Speaking with TMZ Sports, Haden said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should lock in Mayfield and pay him handsomely.

"I think Baker Mayfield should get a contract, for sure," Haden said. "Baker, $25-$30 million a year, 100% to take a team to the playoffs. I think give him some dough."

When Mayfield signed a one-year contract with the Bucs in March 2023, he had massive shoes to fill — those of newly-retired GOAT Tom Brady. And the 28-year-old surpassed all expectations.

Baker Mayfield Had An Incredible Season In Tampa Bay

Selected as the Most Improved Player by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Mayfield established career highs in completions (364), passing yards (4,044), passing touchdowns (28) and completion percentage (64.3%) in 2023. He became the second player in Buccaneers' history (after Brady, of course) to throw for 4,000-plus yards, 25-or-more touchdowns and 10 or fewer interceptions in a single season.

He also led Tampa Bay to the playoffs and even won a postseason game before the Bucs were eliminated by the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.

(USA TODAY)

"Baker meant a lot to this team, this fanbase and this town and I think we meant a lot to him," Bucs GM Jason Licht said. "I think it was a perfect marriage. I've said it before, but he sought us out. He gambled on us, saw it as a good situation and saw it better than a lot of national outlets that saw us winning two games. So, he thought it would be good for him, and it certainly was.

"I know he wants to be Buc, and we want him to be a Buc, so that is usually a good starting point."

While contract negotiations are still underway and nothing is set in stone, Mayfield was caught on hot mic last month saying he’s returning to Tampa and bringing "a couple pieces back."

As for Haden's $25-$30 million estimate, that could be low. Many NFL insiders said Mayfield could be looking at a deal worth $40-million per year.

That does seem like a lot of money for a guy who just had his first solid season in recent memory. But can the Bucs really afford to let him get away?

Like Joe Haden said, "It's hard to find a good quarterback in this league."