Baker Mayfield is finally set to take the field this preseason, and Tampa Bay is treating it like a meaningful checkpoint.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Monday that his starting quarterback will play Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. It will be Tampa Bay’s chance to get Mayfield some live work before the games start to matter.
The decision stands out because Bowles has usually kept Mayfield on the sideline in August. ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported that Mayfield didn’t take a single preseason snap last year, and a report from Bolavip says he also sat out in 2019 and 2025, with the pandemic year being the exception only because there was no preseason. He was also held out of Tampa Bay’s preseason opener against the Jets this month, a 24-16 Buccaneers win powered by backups Jalon Daniels and Connor Bazelak.
The main reason for the change appears to be the offensive line. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs missed extended time last summer while recovering from a knee issue, and Bowles wasn’t eager to put his quarterback behind a shaky front. Wirfs returned to practice Monday, and with that protection back in place, Bowles looks willing to let Mayfield get real reps.
That said, this won’t be a full-on quarterback showdown with Patrick Mahomes.
Chiefs fans hoping to see Mahomes opposite Mayfield in preseason action are likely out of luck. Mahomes is working back from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, and head coach Andy Reid has already signaled that he may not play him at all in the preseason. Mahomes sat out Kansas City’s opener against the Rams, and according to SI’s Chiefs coverage, Reid has considered resting him for all three exhibition games.
“I don’t know if I’ll play him the second or third game, I don’t know that, but the percentages likely lean against doing that,” Reid told reporters earlier in camp.
In Mahomes’ place, Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun have been taking the snaps, and that should continue in Tampa.
So the real story Saturday is Mayfield, not the matchup on the other sideline. Even with Kansas City not rolling out starters everywhere, Tampa Bay will still be facing an NFL defense moving at game speed, which is exactly the point.
For the Buccaneers, this is about more than checking a box. The offense has changed this offseason, with the team moving on from longtime receiver Mike Evans, and timing with new pieces doesn’t come from practice scripts alone. A few series against live pressure, real disguises and actual contact can tell Bowles a lot more about where his quarterback and skill group stand than another week of drills.
It comes with the usual preseason tradeoff: some risk for no scoreboard payoff. But Bowles has clearly decided the benefit of those live snaps is worth it now that his protection is back in place.
In Other News...
Rams Suddenly Have A Matthew Stafford Problem They Can't Ignore
The Rams offensive tackle depth has become a real concern as they build toward the 2026 season, with the position suddenly looking thinner than they would like. Rookie Keagen Trost went down with a hamstring injury in a preseason game, and the injury adds another layer of uncertainty to a spot that was already under pressure as the team tries to protect Matthew Stafford.
Alaric Jacksons situation is also hanging over the room, leaving the Rams to sort through their contingency plans at left tackle. Veteran David Quessenberry is one option, but with limited recent playing time, Los Angeles may have to keep looking at free agent possibilities if it wants a sturdier answer before the season gets away from them. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Rookie Debut Just Changed The Feel Of Their Backup QB Battle
The Rams opened preseason against the Chiefs with most of their starters parked on the sideline and the spotlight squarely on the rookies, which made the first real look at the depth chart feel a little different. Ty Simpson handled three quarters at quarterback and looked steady enough to keep the conversation on the backup job alive, while undrafted free agents Nick Andersen and Dean Connors also flashed enough to matter in a camp where every snap is being weighed.
Keenan, Wesley Bailey and Max Klare each drew their own kind of evaluation from the opener, a reminder that this part of August is as much about sorting potential as it is about the final score. For the Rams, the bigger question now is whether Simpsons performance can separate him from the pack or if the competition remains open heading into the next round of preseason auditions. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Defense Suddenly Has A Chance To Be The NFLs Best
A defense that already had a strong foundation suddenly looks even more dangerous in Los Angeles after a busy offseason reshaped the unit from top to bottom. Among the leagues most improved groups heading toward the 2026-27 season, the Rams stand out because of the kind of talent they were able to add, with Myles Garrett headlining a set of moves that should change how opposing offenses have to plan for them.
For a team that has spent plenty of time trying to keep pace in a loaded NFC, the appeal is obvious: a defense with disruptive edge pressure, more depth, and enough upside to support everything else around it. The bigger question now is how quickly all of those pieces come together, because if they do, Los Angeles may not just be better on that side of the ball, but good enough to enter the conversation as the NFLs best defense. [Read more 🡒]