Baker Mayfield praises Kenneth Gainwell’s impact as Bucs shape first-team rhythm for Chiefs week

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield used Tuesday’s practice session to zoom in on two skill players he believes are accelerating the offense. In remarks shared by the Buccaneers, Mayfield said running back Kenneth Gainwell’s talent has been “overwhelming,” and he framed that as a key reason the offense has looked sharper during team work.

Mayfield’s comments came in the context of how the Buccaneers plan to measure their progress this week. He emphasized what he wants to see from the first-team offense on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, describing those repetitions as the clearest window into timing, decision-making, and execution against a high-level opponent. For a quarterback, that means the “what” and “how” of the offense, from pre-snap reads to how quickly the passing game and run game mesh.

Gainwell’s standing in that evaluation was central to Mayfield’s message. By calling his talent overwhelming, Mayfield suggested the running back has created problems for the defense simply through ability, not just scheme fit. In the early stages of camp, that kind of praise often matters because it can translate into more dynamic looks, more efficient third-down chances, and a steadier balance for play calling, especially when the offense is working through installation and personnel timing.

Mayfield also pointed to tight end Ted Hurst III as another player trending upward. According to the team’s posted account, Mayfield described Hurst’s “growth” and tied it to high-point capability, an attribute that matters in both intermediate passing routes and red-zone situations where the ball frequently arrives contested. When a tight end can consistently win in those moments, it can change how defenses play the middle of the field.

The quarterback’s focus on high-point plays also links to a practical quarterback concern in training camp: trusting the outcome of contested catches. If Mayfield believes Hurst is improving there, it can influence where throws get placed, how aggressive the offense can be when windows narrow, and whether the first-team group can convert drives when the coverage tightens.

While Mayfield addressed individual development, his framing made clear that the Buccaneers’ emphasis is still about the first-team offense as a unit. He indicated he is watching for specific performance from the starting group on Saturday, a chance to test communication and execution against the Chiefs rather than only within the rhythm of practice. For Tampa Bay, a matchup like that can also expose whether the improvements seen in drills carry over to live-game tempo.

The key caveat is that camp evaluations can be noisy, especially early in the preseason build, and individual praise does not automatically translate into consistent production. Still, Mayfield’s comments provide a clear picture of what Tampa Bay wants from its offense: a running game that creates advantage through playmaker talent, and passing-game support from tight-end growth that extends the offense’s reach into contested areas. If the first-team unit delivers those qualities on Saturday, it would validate the direction Mayfield is publicly indicating this week.