Coach Todd Bowles' Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 1-4 and facing down the prospect of another loss with the Steelers coming to town in Week 6 and Jalon Daniels at the ready as the team's recent starting quarterback. An injury to star QB Baker Mayfield caused the Bucs to get creative on offense as they continue to drum up ways to succeed without their leader.
Mayfield's status got another update from NFL insider Adam Schefter that poured cold water on the idea of the Bucs star returning against Pittsburgh.
“Buccaneers officially ruled out QB Baker Mayfield for Sunday's game vs. Pittsburgh; rookie QB Jalon Daniels starts again.”
Mayfield missed the Buccaneers' October 8 Thursday Night Football win over the Dallas Cowboys, which included a show-stealing performance from undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. Bowles' team is out of playoff contention with just one win to their names so far this season, but are working hard to give themselves a chance to compete for a playoff spot.
Article Continues BelowThe NFC South looks surprisingly tough this season with the Carolina Panthers surging, the talented Atlanta Falcons lurking and the New Orleans Saints a dangerous team behind gunslinging quarterback Tyler Shough. Mayfield will now pivot toward throwing his support behind the Bucs' rookie in a game that is expected to receive a visit from President Donald Trump.
Mayfield's loss still stings, but Daniels has already proven that he has the chops to play good football when the bright lights are on. The Buccaneers have an outside shot at surging back into playoff contention, now it will be up to Mayfield to support his team in any way possible, even if he can't do it on as a player like he is usually accustomed to doing.