Analysis

Mayfield connected with Chris Godwin for a 41-yard touchdown to put the Buccaneers up by seven in the second quarter, but he threw an interception on his final pass of the first half. The first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft showed off his underrated mobility with consecutive 11-yard runs in the third quarter, the latter of which culminated in a go-ahead touchdown. Despite Mayfield's modest passing numbers and the inability of Tampa Bay's offensive line to contain Aidan Hutchinson, who sacked Mayfield three times in the first quarter en route to 4.5 sacks overall, Mayfield did enough to lead his team to victory. The Buccaneers are 2-0 heading into a Week 3 home game against the Broncos.

Analysis

Mayfield was nearly flawless in the Buccaneers 2024 home opener, missing just six pass attempts and committing no turnovers in a comfortable win. The 2018 first-overall pick looked the part in his second season starting for Tampa Bay, feeding top wideouts Mike Evans (5/61/2) and Chris Godwin (8/83/1) the football early and often. Mayfield looks like a great value pick after being drafted in the mid to late rounds in fantasy drafts. Now we will witness how this offense performs on the road against a tough Detroit defense next Sunday.

Analysis

Mayfield was in midseason form for his only drive of the preseason. He notched consecutive completions of nine yards to Chris Godwin, 17 yards to Rachaad White and 28 yards to Jalen McMillan before White ran in a four-yard touchdown to cap the first-team offense's brief stint in the game. Mayfield's coming off a successful first season in Tampa Bay, as he posted his first 4,000-yard passing campaign in the regular season and won a playoff game. The 29-year-old quarterback looks ready to pick up where he left off when the Buccaneers kick off the regular season Sept. 8 against the Commanders.

Analysis

Mayfield said he doesn't expect to play much Friday, so though Bowles hasn't officially revealed how many series Tampa Bay's starters will play, it seems like it could be only a handful. The veteran signal-caller hasn't yet been called up for preseason action, so Friday's exhibition contest will represent a valuable chance to freshen up his chemistry with WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, plus RB Rachaad White and TE Cade Otton.

Analysis

The Buccaneers will once again hold the majority of starters out of Saturday's second exhibition contest, as the team did last week versus the Bengals. Mayfield's final chance to log any preseason reps will come Friday, Aug. 23, at home against the Dolphins.

Analysis

Coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that Kyle Trask will be Tampa's starting quarterback Saturday evening. It's probably safe to assume Mayfield's favorite pass catchers will also be held out, namely WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, TE Cade Otton and RB Rachaad White. However, WR Jalen McMillan seemingly will get snaps despite projecting for the No. 3 receiver role, as Bowles said "all the rookies" will play.

Analysis

Bowles' comments came in the midst of the mandatory minicamp the Buccaneers held earlier in June, following a particularly productive penultimate practice of the offseason in which Mayfield spread the ball around effectively. Mayfield has had plenty of opportunity to progressively get a handle on the offensive system, as he was also part of 10 voluntary OTA practices before minicamp. While there figures to be some additional growing pains with the offense, there will be multiple weeks of training camp and preseason games for Mayfield and a top quartet of incumbent pass catchers in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer and Cade Otton to continue building chemistry within it.