Why Baker Mayfield’s new contract is relevant to Seahawks, Sam Darnold

Posted by Admin September 9, 2026 NFL

The Seattle Seahawks have taken care of some major contract extensions over the past several months. They’ve extended Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon, Leonard Williams, and Derick Hall, all of whom were either in contract years or (in the case of JSN and Witherspoon) in their first extension-eligible year.

As far as the next big contract extension for John Schneider and company to deal with, that figures to be quarterback Sam Darnold, who’s entering the second of his three-year, $100 million contract.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers just gave Baker Mayfield a three-year extension worth $165 million, including $110 million in new guaranteed money. This will put him in Josh Allen and Joe Burrow territory once the final details are revealed. Mayfield, who replaced Tom Brady in 2023 as a “buy low” free agent bargain, was set to have his current contract expire at the end of this season. Any thought of the Buccaneers immediately looking elsewhere at the quarterback position has been put to rest.

Mayfield has, for the most part, had his best seasons in Tampa despite perennial offensive coordinator changes. He led the Buccaneers to the NFC Divisional Round in his first season, but the last two have ended in a Wild Card exit and a brutal collapse from 6-2 to 8-9 and out of the playoffs. Mayfield played through a shoulder injury toward the end of last season, which is not a first time occurrence for him in his NFL career.

While the Seahawks are gearing up for another Super Bowl run, Darnold extension talks are inevitable and will be impacted by how this season unfolds. Mayfield represents a data point, if not a floor for a Darnold extension given Baker’s previous contract was worth pretty much the same money. Darnold, of course, has a Super Bowl ring and that might help his case to at least be a notch above Baker money.

The reality for the Seahawks is that, unless Darnold suffers a major injury, plays very poorly, or is very willing to play at Daniel Jones money, the next contract Darnold signs is going to be comfortably north of $50 million/year. If he plays well and Seattle is anywhere near another Super Bowl, you might be looking at $60 million.

Needless to say, the Seahawks have benefited greatly from above-average to elite quarterback play at discounted prices. Whether it’s Russell Wilson during his rookie contract, Geno Smith‘s 2022 season on a one-year deal, or Darnold right now, John Schneider has done well to field playoff-caliber (and, at his best, Super Bowl-caliber) teams without paying the quarterback top dollar.

Very soon, we’re about to find out whether or not Schneider is going to pay a quarterback top dollar again like he did with Russ back in 2019.