Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has absurd amount of cash in bonuses on the line as season ends

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have everything on the line with the last two games of the regular season left on the schedule. 

If the Bucs can beat the Panthers and Saints —they need the Falcons to lose just one of their final two games — to secure the NFC South crown and reach the playoffs. 

The Bucs have been riding a hot streak as of late, winning four of their last five games after a four-game losing streak threatened their playoff hopes. 

And quarterback Baker Mayfield — who has resurrected his career after getting drafted with the No. 1 overall pick but eventually released by the Cleveland Browns and settling for a backup role in in Carolina — has been one of the major reasons for the Bucs turnaround. 

Following Week 16, NFL.com ranked Mayfield as the No. 5 QB in the NFL, making a massive jump from 10 spots the previous week. 

In 14 games as the Bucs starter, Mayfield has 3,920 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. 

Here’s what NFL.com’s Nick Shook said about Mayfield following the Week 16 win over the Chargers. 

Mayfield made one mistake against the Chargers, leaving a pass over the middle behind his intended target, resulting in a interception.The rest was magical. He ripped a gorgeous touchdown pass down the seam to Mike Evans, routinely converted third downs by relying on his favorite target, took off on scrambles for big gains and finished with a four-touchdown day. The Buccaneers are peaking right now because of a number of factors, with Mayfield's efficiency being one of them. If he can consistently avoid turnovers, watch out.

Mayfield and the Bucs were upset by the Cowboys last week, but he still played well, throwing for 303 yards and two touchdowns. 

ESPN's Ben Baby recently detailed the contract bonuses that players will be chasing as the regular season ends and the playoffs begin…and Mayfield has a massive amount of cash at stake. 

He would earn $500,000 with a win in the wild-card round plus higher bonuses in each subsequent round that maxes out at $2.5 million for a Super Bowl win. Mayfield's individual success will also pay off as long as he continues to play at a high level for the final two games. He currently ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in passer rating, touchdown passes, passing yards, completion percentage and yards per pass and would earn $2.5 million if he maintains his ranking by the end of the regular season.

So Mayfield can earn up to $5 million in bonuses if he finishes the regular season strong ($2.5 million for top 10 ranking) and another $2.5 million if the Bucs win the Super Bowl. It’s safe to say the Bucs QB will be giving everything he has to close out the year.