Baker Mayfield is expected to play today when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026 NFL Preseason Week 2. Head coach Todd Bowles plans to use his starters, but only for a limited workload.
This will be a particularly interesting appearance for Mayfield because it marks his first preseason action since the Buccaneers’ contract-extension situation became a major storyline. Tampa and their quarterback were unable to reach an agreement on a new long-term deal, and Baker has made it clear that he will not continue negotiating during the 2026 season.
That means Baker Mayfield is playing the 2026 season in the final year of his current contract, setting up the possibility of free agency in 2027. For now, though, the focus is on football, and Saturday’s matchup against the Chiefs will give Mayfield his first opportunity to get live-game reps in Tampa Bay’s new-look offense.
Will Baker Mayfield play against the Chiefs?
Yes. Baker Mayfield is expected to start the game and play approximately one or two series for the Bucs against the Chiefs. Todd Bowles indicated that the Buccaneers’ starters should receive somewhere between eight and 15 plays, depending on how the game unfolds.
That limited workload is designed to give the starters some valuable game-speed work without exposing them to unnecessary preseason risk. Once Mayfield leaves the field, the Buccaneers will turn their attention to the competition behind him. Jake Browning is expected to receive an opportunity, with Connor Bazelak and Jalon Daniels also part of the battle for the backup quarterback job.
Who will replace Baker Mayfield at quarterback?
Jake Browning has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the No. 2 job and will have another opportunity to strengthen his case against Kansas City. The veteran quarterback has experience in the NFL and is competing with both Bazelak and Daniels for the backup role.
Bazelak is also expected to see action as the Bucs continue evaluating their quarterback depth. He has remained in the mix, but the competition became even more interesting after Jalon Daniels impressed during the preseason opener against the Jets.
Daniels, who signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent this offseason, has drawn attention from the coaching staff for his poise and ability to make plays with his legs.
Baker Mayfield’s contract situation adds another layer
Mayfield’s appearance against the Chiefs comes with an intriguing backdrop. The Buccaneers have not been able to give their quarterback the contract extension he was looking for, while Mayfield has decided to put negotiations aside and focus on the 2026 season.
The quarterback enters the final year of his deal, and unless the situation changes, he could reach free agency after the season. That gives every game additional importance as Mayfield looks to demonstrate his value on the field while the Bucs determine how far they’re willing to go to keep him beyond 2026.
For now, Mayfield’s immediate goal is much simpler: get his work in, stay healthy and help the Buccaneers prepare for the regular season. His first appearance against the Chiefs should provide a brief but important glimpse of where he stands heading into a season that could have major consequences for his future in Tampa Bay.
