Overview
- Baker Mayfield will start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 and has described the matchup as meaningful because of his history with the franchise.
- Mayfield said on Wednesday that positive memories from his four seasons in Cleveland, including the team's first playoff win since 1994, outweigh the negatives and that he is focused on preparation and leadership.
- Ken Zampese, who coached Mayfield in Cleveland and now works with Tampa Bay, publicly criticized the Browns' decision to trade Mayfield and argued the team 'gave him up' when it acquired Deshaun Watson.
- Deshaun Watson struggled in the Browns' Week 1 loss with 205 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, but coach Todd Monken said he expects Watson to start against the Buccaneers.
- Beyond the game, the matchup highlights Mayfield's career arc from Cleveland to Carolina, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay and returns attention to how his 2026 performance could influence Tampa Bay's long-term quarterback plans.