Bengals reportedly to host Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield in season opener
Tampa Bay has not played in Cincinnati since the 2018 season.
The Bengals will open the season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz. The game would matchup Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow against Tampa's Baker Mayfield, both former No. 1 draft picks.
Tampa leads the all-time series, 7-6, but the Bengals have won the last three, including 34-23 in Tampa in 2022, and 37-34 in the Buccaneers' last visit to Cincinnati in 2018. Sources: The #Bengals will open their season at home against the #Bucs . A matchup of former #1 picks with Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield, as @NerdingonNFL said.
šæ https://t. co/KvG7BJxJUF pic. twitter.
com/sjVxyEowai ā Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 14, 2026