The Buccaneers flashed both promise and concern in their Pittsburgh tuneup. Bridgewater operated with veteran poise, finishing 6-of-11 for 85 yards with two touchdowns and guiding two scoring drives, keeping QB2 chatter alive behind Mayfield. Trask struggled, hinting at deeper questions about TB’s Week 1 depth chart. Injuries to Godwin Jr. and Wirfs tightened the backfield calculus and underscored the need for more robust line play and running production.

Playmakers stepped up: Emeka Egbuka landed TB’s first NFL TD on a clean route, Zyon McCollum flashed lockdown potential with an early INT, and Kindle Vildor added an interception and sticky coverage. Jacob Parrish reinforced his growing cornerback ceiling, while Charlie Heck’s edge discipline and Wirfs’ looming return frame TB’s strategic decisions. The ground game lagged, and the defense will face steeper tests as injuries shape the next game plan.

In all, TB’s preseason flow suggests a competitive QB2 race, with Bridgewater’s steadiness potentially nudging Trask into a more defined role. Injuries and pass rush issues demand a closer look at O-line depth and backfield balance. The Steelers will be ready to test TB again, but early returns point to a capable, evolving depth chart that fantasy players should watch closely as rosters trim.

Tampa Bay’s 2025 preseason win over Pittsburgh illuminated a pivotal storyline: Teddy Bridgewater seized the moment as the standout quarterback, engineering back-to-back TD drives in the first quarter to snag a 14-0 edge. He finished 6-of-11 for 85 yards with two touchdowns across three series, delivering a touch-quiet ball that looked comfortable in Josh Grizzard’s game plan despite limited time with the team. Kyle Trask, by contrast, struggled (3-of-10 for 19 yards) while working with largely third-stringers, underscoring the QB2 competition but also highlighting Bridgewater’s veteran steadiness. The coaching staff will likely weigh Bridgewater as a solid backup option behind Baker Mayfield, especially given Bridgewater’s two-score showing and Trask’s uneven command. TB fans should monitor how Bridgewater handles the finale against Buffalo next week, which could cement the QB2 pecking order.

On the field, the Buccaneers looked more cohesive with Bridgewater, efficiently moving the ball and showing better rhythm than in the prior warm-up. Bridgewater threaded a scoring pass to Bucky Irving for TB’s first points, then connected with rookie Emeka Egbuka for another score, signaling meaningful chemistry in a short acclimation period. Irving also contributed as a playmaker, while Mayfield remains the incumbent starter. For fantasy players, Bridgewater’s performance plants a ceiling for a viable veteran backup and potentially more if Mayfield misses time, while Trask’s continued stagnation could push Bridgewater into meaningful late-season relevance in real-world depth charts.

Derrick Harmon, the Steelers’ 20th‑overall pick in 2025, flashed instantly in the preseason, recording his first Steelers sack against the Buccaneers and level‑setting Ben Scott with a bull rush that freed Kyle Trask. The rookie’s rapid rise to a starting defensive end role signals a high‑ceiling impact candidate for Pittsburgh’s front seven this season.

With Cam Heyward mentoring Harmon and pursuing a new deal, the veteran’s absence adds urgency to Harmon's workload, while still anchoring the defensive culture. The story also spotlights Tampa Bay’s rookie guard in Scott and Trask’s exposure to edge pressure, themes that will echo through camp and into Week 1 coverage. Follow TheSteelersWire for ongoing preseason and contract updates as these threads shape the Steelers’ defensive narrative.

For fantasy managers tracking edge production, Harmon’s trajectory is worth monitoring: continued opportunity, favorable matchups, and the Steelers’ defensive depth could translate into meaningful sack and tackle counts if this early pace persists into the opener.

Saturday night’s Buccaneers at Steelers preseason matchup at Acrisure Stadium anchors fantasy focus on quarterback reps and rookie evaluations. Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the likely Steelers quarterbacks, with Aaron Rodgers still on deck if an emergency arises. Kyle Trask is expected to see more field time for Tampa Bay after a 29-7 win over Titans, setting him up as the more appealing late-preseason dart for TB pass-catchers. The game plan and snap distribution could swing streaming opportunities for those rosters as teams tune up for Week 1.

The wider preseason slate listed includes all the usual suspects: Titans at Falcons, Chiefs at Seahawks, and the late-night L.A. rematches, among others. For fantasy managers, the emphasis is on who sees meaningful opportunity in the Steelers’ and Buccaneers’ offenses, how quickly Rudolph or Howard command drives, and whether Trask capitalizes on extended reps to push his fantasy ceiling. Streaming options via NFL Network, NFL+, and other services are highlighted for out-of-market watchability, making this week’s game a practical guidepost for late-draft and DFS planning.

Keep an eye on the trend lines: Rudolph’s experience vs. Howard’s developmental upside, and Trask’s command of TB’s offense when given time. Even if Rodgers isn’t active, his presence looms for future weeks and could influence how defensive coordinators game-plan TB and the Steelers in August. This game becomes a micro-lab for evaluating depth-chart volatility, which matters for roster construction and late-season betting angles.

Kyle Trask flashed in the 2025 preseason opener, completing 12 of 16 passes for 129 yards and adding three carries for eight yards. Tampa Bay rode three of four drives with him to a 29-7 win, showcasing improved timing, decision-making, and pocket presence that fantasy managers crave in a backup-turned-contender narrative.

Cam Ward, the 2025 No.1 overall pick, opened for Tennessee and delivered a two-drive series, the second ending in a touchdown. The Florida-Miami rivalry thread adds spice to the storyline as Trask remains in the mix behind Baker Mayfield, with Brady-era benchmarks lingering over TB’s QB room. Trask’s night strengthens the arc of development and depth behind Mayfield as the season nears.

For fantasy players, Trask’s day offers a real-world gauge of his growth and the chance he could force his way into regular-season action if Mayfield slips. The camp optimism around Ward also keeps a rookie pulse on Titans’ depth chart. TB’s offensive system remains dynamic, keeping multiple pass-catching options in play for late-round darts or dynasty rosters.

Overall, the day underscores the broader reality: preseason performances can shift rosters and fantasy value, especially in two-quarterback or dynasty formats. Trask’s emergence makes him a speculative add in deeper leagues, while Ward’s debut provides a compelling parallel track for dynasty investors and fantasy bettors tracking rookie development.