Way-too-early 2026 Bucs game preview: Cleveland Browns
We are continueing our way-too-early previews for the Bucs upcoming season as we look at their Week 2 matchup.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will return home in Week 2 for one of the more emotional matchups on their 2026 schedule. After opening the season on the road against Cincinnati, the Buccaneers will host the Cleveland Browns in their home opener, setting up a highly intriguing matchup pitting quarterback Baker Mayfield against the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2018. The Storyline The storyline here is obvious: Baker Mayfield against the Browns.
Mayfield helped lead Cleveland to one of the franchise's biggest moments when he guided the Browns to their first playoff victory since 1999 during the 2020 season. But after injuries and organizational differences led to a messy ending, Mayfield eventually found himself out of Cleveland and rebuilding his career elsewhere. Now, he gets another opportunity to face his former team in front of a Tampa Bay home crowd that has welcomed him with open arms since he landed.
Key Matchups Buccaneers offensive line vs. Browns defensive front Cleveland’s defense thrives on generating pressure and disrupting quarterbacks, meaning Tampa Bay’s offensive line must protect Mayfield and keep the offense on schedule. If the Buccaneers allow consistent pressure, the Browns can quickly make life difficult for the Buccaneers' offense.
Myles Garrett is still considered one of, if not the most disruptive, defensive players on the planet, so keeping him in check will be imperative for the Bucs to sustain drives. Buccaneers receivers vs. Browns secondary Tampa Bay’s younger offensive weapons will face a strong test against Cleveland’s physical secondary.