Baker Mayfield Eyes $500,000 Playoff Bonus as Falcons Face $180M Dilemma With Kirk Cousins

Baker Mayfield’s NFL career hasn’t always been smooth, but his time in Tampa has unquestionably been the high point. His breakout 2024 season, 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, 71.4% completions, and his first Pro Bowl earned him far more than recognition. It earned him a payday.

And now, entering Week 15, Mayfield is staring at even more money. A $500,000 playoff bonus that activates if the Buccaneers clinch the postseason.

Tampa’s path to the playoffs runs straight through Thursday night’s showdown with Atlanta. A win over the Falcons won’t guarantee the Bucs a spot, but it’s one of the key games required for them to secure the berth, and for Mayfield to cash in on his incentive structure.

With the Bucs fighting to stay atop the NFC South, beating Atlanta is functionally a step toward locking in both the team’s playoff future and Mayfield’s bonus money.

Mayfield signed a three-year, $100,000,000 extension in March 2024 with a $28.875M signing bonus, $50M guaranteed, $33.33M per year, and $5M annually in incentives. And a structure that is essentially a two-year, $60M deal with an out before the $40M 2026 season

His 2025 financial breakdown is loaded with a $2M base salary, $10M roster bonus, $31M restructure bonus, $3,780 workout bonus. If he continues performing at his current level, he positions himself not just for the 2026 salary but for the full max value of $115M. But that starts with Tampa getting in the playoffs, and that starts with beating Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins signed a blockbuster four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, including a massive $100 million guaranteed. The move was expected to stabilize Atlanta’s quarterback situation, but instead it quickly unraveled.

Just weeks after signing Cousins, Atlanta stunned the league by selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a decision that blindsided Cousins. Penix eventually overtook the veteran after Cousins’ performance deteriorated late in the season. After a strong start, Cousins collapsed down the stretch, throwing just one touchdown against nine interceptions over his final five starts before being benched in favor of the rookie.

The Falcons, now 4–9 following a 37–9 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks, have struggled mightily with Cousins at the helm. He has thrown for 845 yards with three touchdowns, three interceptions, and a troubling 31.9 passer rating. Against Seattle, he completed just 15 of 30 passes for 162 yards with two interceptions.

With the Falcons’ season spiraling and Cousins unable to steady the offense, head coach Raheem Morris enters a crucial division matchup with his former team under significant pressure, as questions about Atlanta’s direction continue to intensify.