Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers’ quarterback, is officially set to play in their second preseason game this summer. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed on Monday that Mayfield will be in the lineup when the Bucs host the Chiefs on Saturday night, a clear shift in approach from last year.
A New Approach for the Bucs
This is big news because Mayfield didn’t play a single snap during the entire 2025 preseason. Seriously, not one. Now, in 2026, the team is taking a completely different strategy. They rested their first-string players against the Jets in last Friday’s preseason opener, but that’s all changing. Bowles also said that other healthy starters will get playing time against Kansas City. It shows the team wants to get their main guys some work before the regular season kicks off.
The Final Year Stare-Down
Beyond the snaps, this move comes with some serious contract drama. Mayfield is heading into the final year of his deal, and he spent the entire offseason looking for a new agreement. He’s been practicing hard at training camp, but there’s been absolutely no movement toward getting that new contract done. Every throw, every read, every decision Mayfield makes on Saturday night against the Chiefs is gonna be under a microscope. This isn’t just preseason; it’s an audition for his future.
So, get ready to tune in on Saturday night as the Bucs take on the Chiefs. It’s gonna be fascinating to see how Mayfield looks out there with such high stakes already on the table, even before Week 1.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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