Teddy Bridgewater Ends 1,422-Day Drought as Buccaneers Fall to Rams

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Sunday night hoping to stabilize a season that had begun strong but recently taken a downward turn. Instead, they left SoFi Stadium with more questions under center and a three-game losing streak that has tightened the NFC South race. In the middle of the setback came a rare bright spot: the return of Teddy Bridgewater to the stat sheet after a long NFL hiatus.

Bridgewater, who had appeared sparingly this season, was pressed into action when starter Baker Mayfield exited with a shoulder injury in the second half. It marked Bridgewater’s fourth appearance of the year, but his first extended duty — and the first time he had completed a pass in nearly four years. His 12-yard connection with tight end Cade Otton ended a drought that stretched back 1,422 days.

The completion, highlighted by Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, underscored just how long Bridgewater had gone without an NFL attempt. His last pass before Sunday night dated to early 2022, during his stint with the Miami Dolphins. While the moment reflected perseverance, it also came amid an offensive outing in which Tampa Bay struggled to generate sustained production.

Ultimately, Bridgewater’s return to the box score offered little relief for a Buccaneers team that fell 34-7 and slipped further from the form that defined its 5-1 start. With Mayfield’s status uncertain and the division tightening, Tampa Bay’s immediate future has become increasingly complex.

1. Bridgewater’s Long Road Back to a Completion

Bridgewater’s unexpected second-half appearance came with a statistic few realized he still carried — no completed passes since January 2022. That stretch covered 1,422 days, recalling a time before he joined Tampa Bay and before his role evolved into veteran backup. His previous completion came on Jan. 2, 2022, when he went 12-for-19 with a touchdown and an interception for the Miami Dolphins in a narrow loss to the New England Patriots. Since then, a combination of injuries, changing depth charts, and shifting team roles had kept him away from meaningful snaps. So when Mayfield exited Sunday night’s game and Bridgewater entered, the moment carried a sense of renewal. His 12-yard strike to Otton was not flashy, but it was symbolic — evidence he could still manage the offense with poise and accuracy. Bridgewater would go on to complete eight of 15 passes for 62 yards, numbers that reflected both his extended absence and the difficult situation he inherited in a game that had already slipped away from Tampa Bay.

2. Mayfield’s Injury and the Buccaneers’ Offensive Strain

Tampa Bay’s quarterback situation shifted abruptly when Mayfield left with a shoulder injury. Initially listed as doubtful to return, he was later ruled out entirely, leaving the Buccaneers without their offensive leader for the remainder of the game. The timing was difficult for a team attempting to halt a slide. Mayfield had been the centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s early-season surge, and while his turnovers have been a concern, his command of the offense remained critical to the Buccaneers’ identity. Without him, the unit struggled to maintain rhythm or generate consistent yardage. Bridgewater did what he could in relief, but the offense never found balance. He was sacked twice — part of a broader protection issue — and the run game provided little support. Tampa Bay managed just 62 passing yards with Bridgewater under center and produced only one scoring drive all night. The setback magnified the importance of Mayfield’s health going forward, especially as the Buccaneers navigate a division race that has tightened quickly after their hot start.

3. Division Pressure Rising as Tampa Bay Stumbles

Sunday’s defeat dropped Tampa Bay to 6-5, marking the team’s third consecutive loss after opening the season 5-1. The slide has reshaped the NFC South, where the Buccaneers still hold first place — but only narrowly. A Carolina Panthers win on Monday would push Tampa Bay into second place. The broader concern for the Buccaneers lies in their offensive regression. Over the past three weeks, scoring has dipped sharply, turnovers have disrupted momentum, and the passing game has lost its early-season efficiency. Whether Mayfield can return quickly — and at full strength — now looms as one of the division’s most significant variables. Defensively, Tampa Bay has continued to compete, but prolonged offensive droughts have created difficult field-position scenarios and fatigued the unit. Against the Rams, the imbalance became increasingly evident as Los Angeles pulled away early and never lost control. With six games remaining, Tampa Bay must recalibrate quickly to avoid letting the division slip. Bridgewater’s reemergence was a meaningful footnote, but the Buccaneers’ long-term success still depends heavily on stability at quarterback and renewed offensive cohesion.