NFL blasted for putting Buccaneers in prime-time games

NFL schedule-makers annoyed at least a pair of football personalities by placing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in two prime-time games for the 2023 season. 

"How did Tampa get two prime-time games?" VSiN's Femi Abebefe asked during an edition of "The GM Shuffle with Michael Lombardi and Femi Abebefe" podcast, as shared by the JoeBucsFan website. 

"I don't know," Lombardi, a former NFL executive, responded. "I have no idea. That’s a shocker." 

Abebefe then pointed out that the Buccaneers are "a small-market team with no quarterback" following the second and "for good" retirement of Tom Brady in February. 

By all accounts, Brady has taken his final snap as a member of the Buccaneers even if he considers possibly un-retiring for the second consecutive offseason. 

Tampa Bay was never linked in rumors with big-name replacements such as Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets or Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and instead signed Baker Mayfield via a one-year contract. 

Mayfield and unproven 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask are on track to compete for the starting quarterback job this summer. Possibly due to Mayfield's name value and the fact that he once guided the Cleveland Browns to a playoff victory, the NFL scheduled the Buccaneers to host the Philadelphia Eagles in a "Monday Night Football" clash in Week 3 on Sept. 25. 

Tampa Bay will later play at the Buffalo Bills in a "Thursday Night Football" game in Week 8 on Oct. 26.

"I thought the Bucs being favored in only one game and yet getting two national television games [was a surprise]," Lombardi added. Abebefe had no answer. 

"Just makes zero sense. Zero sense," Abebefe told Lombardi. "I don’t know what the hell the league was thinking by doing that one. Who wants to watch this team unless you are a Bucs fan? Nobody wants to watch them. It’s Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask. Maybe Kyle Trask is good? Hopefully, he is, 'cause if we have to watch [the Bucs] we at least need some good quarterback play to make it entertaining." 

Mayfield's "swag" and "moxie" have helped earn him praise from Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales and senior advisor Bruce Arians this spring. The 28-year-old will have some extra bulletin-board material heading into training camp if he's made aware of what Abebefe and Lombardi had to say during the podcast.