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Baker Mayfield’s remarkable career turnaround is complete.
Two years after he was replaced by the Browns and subsequently cut by the Panthers, Mayfield agreed to a three-year, $100 million contract that includes $50 million guaranteed to stay with the Buccaneers, Mayfield confirmed to ESPN.
The contract reportedly will pay Mayfield $30 million in 2024, $30 million in 2025 ($20 million guaranteed) and $40 million in 2026 and includes an additional $5 million per year in incentives.
“I wanted a chance to come back,” Mayfield told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “I love coach (Todd) Bowles and the staff. I’m happy to be here and I want to win more in the postseason.”
It is surprising that Mayfield settled for a smaller annual average than the Giants gave to Daniel Jones (four years, $160 million, $92 million guaranteed) despite having a better resume.
It suggests that the rest of the league treats the Jones contract as an outlier for a mid-level quarterback.
Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, made the Pro Bowl last season as he proved stepping into the retired Tom Brady’s shoes was not a task too big.
He threw for 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and led the Buccaneers to the NFC South title and a playoff victory against the Eagles.
Mayfield was the No. 2 quarterback and No. 15 overall free agent available on The Post’s top 30 rankings, compiled with source input.
So, that is one less contingency option for whichever team doesn’t get Kirk Cousins – between the Vikings and Falcons – and other quarterback-needy teams like the Raiders and Broncos.
The Browns gave up on Mayfield after his injury-plagued 2021 season, electing to trade for Deshaun Watson and fully guaranteeing his contract extension after Watson was not indicted on sexual misconduct allegations.
Mayfield flamed out after appearing in seven games for the Panthers. He finished the 2022 season with the Matthew Stafford-less Rams and was just good enough to earn a one-year, $4 million contract with the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers got far more than they expected as Mayfield set career highs across the board.
Whether Mayfield can duplicate those numbers under new coordinator Liam Cohen – who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator during Mayfield’s brief stay – remains to be seen.
Cohen replaced Dave Canales, who parlayed his success with Mayfield into becoming Panthers head coach.
The writing was on the wall for Mayfield’s return last week, once future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans re-signed a two-year, $52 million contract.
The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation serves disadvantaged children and families in the Tampa area.