The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not have to make a change at quarterback after all.
Baker Mayfield, who has started every game for the Buccaneers since the 2023 season opener, watched the second half of the team's loss in Los Angeles from the sideline with his left arm in a sling, generating significant concern that he would miss some time during the playoff stretch run. However, positive results from MRI exams indicated no structural damage in his left shoulder and he has steadily progressed during the Bucs' week of practice.
And, as of the end of the final practice on Friday, Head Coach Todd Bowles was ready to say that Mayfield is on track to keep his starting streak alive on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
"We have," said Bowles when asked if he had made a decision at quarterback. "He looked good today so he's trending to play."
Mayfield was deemed a non-participant in a walk-through practice on Wednesday and was still limited on Thursday but showed clear improvement by the end of the week.
"He had to get well," said Bowles. "He was very limited on Wednesday, he did a little more yesterday and he moved around perfectly today, so he's fine."
If Mayfield had been sidelined by his injury, Teddy Bridgewater would have made his first start as a Buccaneer. The Buccaneers also likely would have either promoted rookie quarterback Connor Bazelak to the active roster or elevated him from the practice squad for game day. The team could still make that latter move if it feels any uncertainty about Mayfield's status, but that decision doesn't have to be made until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
"It's been talked about," said Bowles. "Depending on what the other positions need and who's coming back from where, we're still talking about it. Haven't made that decision yet."
Though the Bucs have full confidence in Bridgewater, a 12th-year veteran who has a career 33-32 record as a starting quarterback in the NFL, there's little doubt that the presence of Mayfield, the team's emotional leader, would give them a boost on Sunday against the Cardinals. Tampa Bay has lost three in a row but remains in first place in the NFC South and has not lost any faith in its ability to achieve its goals for 2025.
"We've got plenty of confidence; we never lost that," said Bowles. "It's just picking up on the little things from an execution standpoint. We all know we have to do our jobs better, and that's coaches and players, but it has nothing to do with confidence. Just execution."
