For the first time since Todd Bowles became the head coach, the Bucs have lost a season opener. Tampa Bay fell 33-27 to the Cincinnati Bengals in a road game that they could have won if they executed just a little bit more. Bowles had previously been 4-0 up until this latest season.

Ultimately, this game will be remembered for two big reasons. The negative side is that the Bucs fumbled four times, including three from star quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was just given a three-year $165 million contract just days ago. The positive side that Bucs fans will remember, especially if he continues to make exceptional plays, is the regular season debut of rookie second-round pick inside linebacker Josiah Trotter.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Fumbled Way Too Much

Before getting to the good, the bad has to be addressed. Having four fumbles in the game is downright egregious, no matter who coughed it up. Mayfield fumbled trying to dive into the end zone on one play, which cost the team at least three points, and was strip-sacked on two others after holding on to the ball too long, the first one leading to a scoop-and-score touchdown by Bengals inside linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

“Well, obviously you can’t turn the ball over,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said after the game. “We had four turnovers and lose by just one touchdown. But it wasn’t just that, you know. We had some penalties, some false starts there. Defensively, I’d be interested to know how many tackles we missed, because we missed some chip-shot tackles.

“We get the ball back at the end, and give our offense a chance, you know. The sad part is we didn’t punt. We had a turnover or points. You know, we can’t turn it over against a team like that. They’ve got very good players, and they are coached very well. We didn’t help ourselves.”

The Bucs offense played well enough. It just self-destructed up in bad moments – with Bucky Irving also fumbling – that led to a minus-three turnover differential on Sunday. If not for the fumbles, Tampa Bay could have reached 40 points the way the offense was moving the ball. Mayfield took most of the blame after the game, which was justified.

Josiah Trotter Off To An Incredible Start

Despite the Bucs losing, there is some silver lining to this all. The Bucs found a star and an apparent stud at the inside linebacker position in the name of Josiah Trotter. At age 21, Trotter is viewed as a key piece in the defense that the Bucs want to run, which calls for him to attack the line of scrimmage as a run defender and a blitzer, as well as dropping into coverage on occasion.

Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Tampa Bay’s inside linebacker dazzled in the season opener, having a highlight moment, intercepting a pass from Joe Burrow and taking it to the house for a 38-yard pick-six for a touchdown. Trotter also had a sack and a team leading 10 tackles, proving that he’s capable of making all the big plays required of him to excel at this level.

“It’s a good play on his part,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said of the team’s second-round pick. “It’s a play he blew from practice, he learned from it, and made a play from there. He made some good plays for us in the run. Obviously, there are some things he still has to learn and get better at, but you know, you can tell he’s a gamer, just seeing him get that play and help us get back in the game.”