The Buffalo Bills defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19 tonight in their preseason game at Raymond James Stadium. Todd Bowles came into Saturday night’s press conference with a calm demeanor. But it was clear he was looking to set the record straight. The Buccaneers can have their hands around a settled QB in quarterback Baker Mayfield, but the argument about the depth chart behind him has been growing louder each week. Mayfield himself was not keen on the preseason. He wanted to step back in the pocket, sight down the barrel of the gun, and lay a strike while getting hit. But for the first time in his career, he will begin the regular season without any live game reps. Questions about security at the game’s most important position have never been more weighty in Tampa, and Bowles was careful to answer them straight on.

The head coach explained that no ultimate decision has been made for the No. 2 quarterback between Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Trask. “Nothing has been decided yet,” Bowles told the reporters, explaining once again that the competition is still ongoing. He also explained that Bridgewater was not on the field against the Buffalo Bills because he was “severely ill.” He went on to explain that if he were healthy, he would have played in the preseason finale.

Bridgewater’s injury, along with Trask’s inconsistent play, has only made it more difficult for Tampa Bay to make arrangements at backup quarterback. The Buccaneers’ confidence currently rests with Mayfield as the undisputed starter. But the uncertainty behind him speaks of a glaring vulnerability. Injuries at the position can bring entire seasons to a halt. And Bowles knows the final roster decision at QB2 will have far-reaching implications well past the preseason box scores.

He recognized what has been a question hanging out there in Tampa Bay since Mayfield was announced as the starter officially. Who is going to bear the burden if something happens? For Mayfield, it could be both a blessing and a curse. On one side, it confirms his safe position as Tampa Bay’s undisputed QB1. On the flip side, it highlights the dilemma that if he falls, there’s no indication of a safety net. That uncertainty has plagued teams throughout the league previously, and Bowles vows not to have Tampa Bay’s season undone due to indecision.

Injuries only make things more complicated. The Bucs have already suffered setbacks prior to the regular season even getting underway. Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs experienced a knee problem. Although he will likely stay on the 53-man roster and practice, there are reports that he probably won’t see action in a game until October. Similar to Wirfs, Godwin will likely stay rostered but is also not likely to play until October. Those are two big scoring weapons Tampa Bay had counted on to depend on early, now suddenly out of commission when chemistry and rhythm are most important.

Bowles is now balancing the near-term issue of a QB2 contest with the longer-term issue of roster erosion. Quarterback is at the epicenter of the hurricane, but the well-being of his playmakers and blockers will define the early portion of the Buccaneers’ season just as much.

Baker Mayfield’s backup struggles spotlight depth concerns

With Mayfield resting Tampa Bay’s exhibition closer. Kyle Trask was slated to bear the starting reps, with Teddy Bridgewater stepping in behind him. But Bridgewater’s sickness left the Buccaneers scrambling. And Connor Bazelak had to get into the game. It wasn’t the script Bowles envisioned on the last dress rehearsal before cutdown day.

Bridgewater’s resume holds promise, and his preseason appearance against the Steelers suggested what he might bring. There, he was six of 11 for 85 yards, two scores, and zero interceptions. A consistent, productive line that indicated the veteran has enough left to get the job done if needed. But with no opportunity to reinforce that showing against Buffalo, the assessment is incomplete.

Trask, on the other hand, remains a puzzle. His physical assets are there, his arm power flickers and he’s had flashes of poise but inconsistency is the largest cloud hanging over his growth. Each snap is like a referendum, and each incompletion add doubts about whether he can be trusted in the regular season. The backup quarterback issue was the topic that consumed the night. The Bills could have taken the game out of Tampa, but the Bucs took the evening with questions still afloat.

The Bills reserved the best of their preseason game for last. Quarterback Shane Buechele started the entire game for Buffalo. Which never fell behind and received contributions from a number of young players. Wide receiver Tyrell Shavers caught a touchdown pass. While undrafted rookie Jimmy Ciarlo swooped in on a fumble recovery. Kristian Wilkerson topped the team with five catches for 46 yards.

Buffalo’s superiority was evident on the box score. They gashed the Buccaneers 375 yards to 241 and controlled the ball for 35 minutes, 38 seconds. For Tampa Bay, however, the evening was not about what the final score read. It was about Todd Bowles’ decision to face the quarterback depth chart issue head-on.