May 30, 2026, 7:11 PM CUT

Baker Mayfield Expected to get Hostile Against Browns in 2026 Revenge Game

Baker Mayfield. Image Credits: Luis Santana/Imago

After heading to Cincinnati to face the Bengals in Week 1, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is all set for the matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.

According to a Fox report by Greg Auman, the Week 2 matchup was described as one of the most emotionally charged games on Tampa Bay's schedule because of Mayfield's history with Cleveland.

“There might be some actual hostility here. Baker Mayfield gets his second crack (and his first joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) against the team that he led to a playoff win, who later traded him to the Carolina Panthers after giving $230 million guaranteed to Deshaun Watson in 2022.

Auman also suggested that Mayfield could finally get the revenge he missed during his first meeting with Cleveland. However, he was with the Carolina Panthers at the time.

December 7, 2025, Tampa, Florida, USA: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield 6 leaves the field for halftime in the game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 in Tampa. Tampa USA - ZUMAs70_ 20251207_zan_s70_058 Copyright: xLuisxSantanax

It will also be interesting to see whether Mayfield and Deshaun Watson face each other in Week 2.

“It's five times more interesting if this game's in Cleveland, but the idea of Mayfield getting to play his home opener against the team that shipped him off — potentially against Watson, who didn't play in the 2022 Browns-Panthers matchup — is peak NFL soap opera,” Auman wrote.

Since leaving Cleveland, he has only played the Browns once, going 0-1 against them as the starter for Carolina.

Former Browns QB Still Has Unfinished Business

Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report recently outlined a scenario for every NFL team heading into the 2026 season. His vision for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers revolves around Baker Mayfield.

Gagnon also suggested that if Mayfield can produce the best football of his career, Tampa Bay could enter the playoffs. The team's success hinges entirely on Mayfield’s ability to lead a competitive roster.

Confidence in Mayfield has surged following his breakout performance last year. The Buccaneers rely on him a lot, making adjustments on defense while keeping the offensive line intact.

Four years later, Cleveland moved on from him in favor of Watson. Mayfield now enters the matchup as the established starter of a playoff contender. That makes the Week 2 meeting one of the most interesting storylines on Tampa Bay's 2026 schedule.

Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Rudra Dubey