TAMPA BAY, Fla. — All in all, you would rather have Patrick Mahomes.

Or Joe Burrow. Maybe Lamar Jackson, probably Josh Allen. As much as Baker Mayfield endeared himself to Tampa Bay last season, no one is suggesting the Bucs quarterback is among the very best in the NFL.

But how about when you consider contract value vs. onfield production?

Trevor Lawrence just signed a five-year deal in Jacksonville with more than $200 million in guaranteed money. Good for him. But is it good for the Jaguars? Furthermore, would you rather have Lawrence at $55 million per season for five years or Mayfield at $33 million for three seasons?

Sometimes, the answer is obvious. Kyler Murray at $46.1 million per season? Hard pass. Daniel Jones at $40 million? No, thank you.

But how about Jared Goff at $53 million? Or Kirk Cousins at $45 million?

A year ago, the mathematics were far simpler, as far as the Bucs were concerned. With incentives, Mayfield pocketed around $7 million and, for that, the Bucs got a division title and a first-round playoff victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. Along with a bunch of quarterbacks still on or near their entry-level deals — Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love — Mayfield was one of the best bargains in the NFL.

Mayfield is the same quarterback, but his salary has obviously risen after his comeback season.

So is he still a bargain? Are the Bucs getting their money’s worth?

That would be yes. And yes.

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