TAMPA — Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said he will not negotiate a contract extension during the 2026 season after the team failed to reach a deal before his self-imposed deadline of the start of training camp, which opened Wednesday.

“It’s disappointing to say the least, but it’s ball [from] here and I know I’m going to have a good year,” Mayfield said Thursday. “I know this team, the things that we went through last year put us in a good spot for this year. Depth-wise, a lot of guys have been thrown to the fire, to be able to grow and learn fast.”

Mayfield is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed with Tampa Bay in 2024. In his first three seasons as the Bucs’ starter, the ninth-year quarterback has thrown for 12,237 yards and 95 touchdowns, ranking second in the NFL in touchdown passes and third in passing yards over that span. He helped the franchise capture a pair of NFC South division championships before the streak of four consecutive titles was snapped last year on a tiebreaker with the Panthers.

“I’ve been pretty upfront and honest about my feelings about Tampa, it being home for our family, raising kids here,” Mayfield said. “I’m at the point in my career, understanding what I’ve brought to this franchise. One, I’m very thankful for the chance they gave me — do not get me wrong on that. But I also know, I really know what I’ve brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and even play-wise.”

The first-overall pick in the 2018 draft, Mayfield bounced between teams after the Cleveland Browns traded for Deshaun Watson and shipped him to Carolina. He initially signed with the Buccaneers on what amounted to a one-year prove-it deal in 2023 and has since revived his career. He said he addressed the locker room about the situation so new teammates understood his focus.

“I think I’m a franchise quarterback,” Mayfield said. “I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here, so to not have a deal done is very disappointing. But I said the deadline is the deadline. It’s all about winning here now and what we’re going to do.”

Mayfield expressed confidence in the 2026 roster, which features new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and additions the team hopes will offset the wave of injuries that hit the offensive line and receiving corps last season. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, in a really good place and feeling really confident with the staff that Todd’s put together. We’re going to have a really, really good team,” he said.

“Money should never be the motivation in football,” Mayfield added. “For me, it just puts me in the mindset of betting on myself, and that’s something I’m pretty familiar with.”

Contract negotiations are now shelved for at least five months, meaning the earliest talks could resume would be after the conclusion of the 2026 regular season.