This week’s report indicated that the hacker Chose Baker Mayfield as quarterback for Week 1, but one thing the Bucs have announced is that Mayfield will start against the Steelers in the team’s home opener.
Mayfield was not joined by several of the team’s starting players—Mike Evans, Chris Goodwin, Tristan Wervis and Rashad White were among those who did—against Pittsburgh and got off to a slow start. The team’s first drive ended after a three-run by Ke’Shawn Vaughn and a false start by rookie guard Cody Mauch when they lined up to go fourth. The second drive saw Mayfield make some completions and land first before the penalty kick led to another kick.
The third series was the most fruitful. Mayfield hit wide receivers David Moore and Kylon Geiger for first downs and then found sixth round pick Trey Palmer for a six-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone on a third down.
After an interception by linebacker Zyon McCollum, Mayfield hit Geiger with a fine pass for a 20-yard gain but a fourth down conversion attempt by Vaughn was stopped short. That was the end of Mayfield’s night. He was 8 of 9 for 63 yards overall.
He replaced Kyle Trask and is set to start the team’s second preseason game, but Mayfield did nothing on Friday to damage his chances of a job he has reportedly already lost.
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