After the schedule for the 2026 season was released in the spring, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said he had the team’s Week 2 game against the Browns circled. Mayfield began his career with the Browns and was traded after Cleveland opted for Deshaun Watson as their quarterback. Mayfield was excited for the opportunity to hand his former team a loss, but things didn’t go that way Sunday in Tampa. The Bucs had a 10-point lead in the third quarter, but lost it before a long weather delay late in the fourth quarter. The Bucs were driving when the delay began, but couldn’t finish the job and lost 23-19. After the game, Mayfield was asked if it was more painful because of who beat them. “It just hurts more because we’re 0-2,” Mayfield said. The Bucs had four turnovers in their Week 1 loss to the Bengals, but only turned the ball over once against the Browns. However, they had two drives that ended in the red zone with no touchdowns, and a pair of drives in the second half that resulted in quick punts that kept the Browns in the game. “Frustrated because it’s close,” Mayfield said. “You can feel it. You can see it. Sometimes we move the ball and then we just shoot ourselves in the foot. So, that makes it more frustrating when you know you’re there.” The Bucs will need to quickly find a more consistent offensive approach or Mayfield will run out of steam before his new contract extension takes effect next year.
