In a preseason-closing game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins, Baker Mayfield made a strong statement in just one series. The 29-year-old quarterback, who led the Bucs to the playoffs last season, wasted no time in showcasing his skills. Mayfield orchestrated a 70-yard drive in seven plays, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown run by Rachaad White. His precision passing, including a 28-yard completion to rookie Jalen McMillan, set the tone for the game.
Mayfield, who sat out the first two preseason games, went a perfect 3 for 3 for 54 yards before being rested for the remainder of the game. This allowed both teams to evaluate their young players vying for roster spots. On the other side, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who led the NFL in passing yardage in 2023, also played one series in the preseason. The fifth-year pro completed all five of his passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his talent and potential for the upcoming season.
After a successful 2023 season, Mayfield signed a lucrative three-year, $100 million contract with the Buccaneers. His performance last season, which included a personal-best 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, earned him a Pro Bowl selection. The quarterback’s impact on the team was evident as Tampa Bay clinched their third consecutive NFC South title.
Injuries sidelined key players like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for the Dolphins in the preseason finale. This allowed other players to step up and showcase their abilities. Mike White and Skylar Thompson split time at quarterback for Miami, while Kyle Trask took over for Mayfield and played the rest of the game for the Buccaneers.
Thompson had a solid outing, throwing touchdown passes of 20 yards to Hayden Rucci and 1 yard to Kyric McGowan. He finished the game with 19 completions on 27 attempts for 190 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Trask, on the other hand, went 17 of 24 for 141 yards without an interception, throwing touchdowns of 10 yards to Ryan Miller and 2 yards to Tanner Knue.
Overall, the preseason game between the Buccaneers and the Dolphins provided valuable insights into the depth of both teams. While established stars like Mayfield and Tagovailoa showed their prowess in limited action, younger players seized the opportunity to make their case for a spot on the final roster. As the regular season approaches, fans can look forward to exciting matchups and standout performances from these talented teams.