Baker Mayfield Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to allow quarterback Baker Mayfield to become a free agent as the team has decided not to use a franchise tag on him to keep him with the team. But it sounds like the team has already made an attempt to sign him to a contract extension.

According to a report from Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had “preliminary talks” about a contract that would keep him with the team.

“Although nothing is imminent, the Bucs and Mayfield have had some preliminary talks about a new contract. Licht is expected to meet with Mayfield’s agent, Tom Mills, next week. Both sides have expressed an interest in reaching an agreement for Mayfield to return to Tampa Bay,” Stroud wrote for the Tampa Bay Times.

According to Stroud, the Buccaneers want to keep Mayfield in Tampa Bay and Mayfield wants to remain with the team, but that could change if he hits the open market next month.

“Mayfield would prefer to remain in Tampa Bay, because he believes it gives him the best chance to win. But the Bucs could have some competition if Mayfield makes it to free agency in March,” Stroud wrote.

We’ll have to see what happens, but it’s pretty clear that he wants to remain with the Buccaneers, and they want him back.

[Tampa Bay Times]