Bucs Coach Bowles Backs Mayfield as Long-Term Starting Quarterback

Jenna Laine Jun 12, 2026, 12:07 AM ET Close Jenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Jenna is a former cheerleader at the University of South Florida and speaks to the consistency of the program as being one of the top best in the nation. Follow on X

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49037608/bucs-bowles-backs-mayfield-long-term-qb-amid-contract-talks)._