Bucs vs. Chiefs: What to know ahead of Tampa Bay’s only home preseason game
TAMPA, Fla. - Football season is finally here, and Bucs fans will get their first chance to see the team take the field at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night.
Bucs host Chiefs in preseason game
What we know:
The Bucs are expected to play their first-team units for a series or two, including quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The game will give Tampa Bay’s starters a chance to get some preseason reps and build chemistry with Zac Robinson, the team’s new offensive coordinator, before the regular season begins.
The matchup is the second of Tampa Bay’s three preseason tuneups, making it a key opportunity to begin evaluating how the starters are coming together.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Preseason starters and absences
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not play Saturday night.
Mahomes has been working his way back from a torn ACL and LCL in his knee. He has participated fully in Kansas City’s camp workouts but has not yet played in a preseason game.
Justin Fields is expected to start at quarterback for the Chiefs instead.
One notable Bucs absence will be defensive tackle Vita Vea. Despite reaching a new contract extension with Tampa Bay this week, Vea will not play Saturday night as he continues working his way back into football shape.
Broadcast booth reunion
Why you should care:
There is another reason for Bucs fans to tune in, even if they are not heading to Ray Jay.
Former Bucs head coach Jon Gruden is returning to the broadcast booth for the game. He will handle play-by-play alongside former Bucs cornerback and Super Bowl champion Ronde Barber.
Gruden coached the Bucs to their first Super Bowl championship following the 2002 season. After leaving Tampa Bay in 2009, he went on to work as a color analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
Mayfield, who won’t hear Gruden’s calls from the field, said it is great to have Gruden back around the organization and praised his energy and passion for football.
"Honestly there’s no telling what’s gonna happen up there in the booth, but it should be a lot of good football talk," Mayfield said. "Just having him around and having him still involved around the building. It’s great."
Where to watch
The Bucs and Chiefs kick off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The game will air locally on NBC and will also be available to stream through NFL+.
Saturday’s game is Tampa Bay’s only home preseason game.
What's next:
Bucs fans will have to wait until September to see the team back at Raymond James Stadium for a regular-season game.
Tampa Bay’s first home game of the regular season is Sept. 20 against the Cleveland Browns.
The Source: Information for this preview comes from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and comments from quarterback Baker Mayfield during practice this week.