Buffalo Bills backup quarterback Shane Buechele turned his first full NFL game into a showcase performance, throwing for 278 yards and a touchdown in a 23-19 preseason victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night.
The 26-year-old Buechele, who sat out last season with a neck injury, completed 25 of 30 passes in a near-flawless outing. Though buried on the Bills’ depth chart behind reigning MVP Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, and Mike White, his strong performance may earn him a spot on Buffalo’s practice squad — or catch the attention of another quarterback-needy team.
“It felt great just being back out there,” Buechele said. “Last year was tough, but to get this opportunity and show what I can do means everything.”
Neither Allen nor Buccaneers starter Baker Mayfield played a snap this preseason, leaving roster hopefuls to fight for jobs. The intensity boiled over in the second quarter when Tampa Bay rookie safety Shilo Sanders — son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — was ejected for throwing a punch at Bills tight end Zach Davidson. Sanders, who also drew a pass interference penalty earlier, is competing for a roster spot after going undrafted out of Colorado.
“It’s inexcusable,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said afterward.
For Tampa Bay, Kyle Trask made his case to be Mayfield’s backup, completing 13 of 17 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. Trask, a 2021 second-round pick, has thrown just 11 regular-season passes in his career.
Rookie Connor Bazelak handled the second half, finishing 12 of 19 for 107 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Greene in the closing minutes.
General manager Jason Licht told the team’s TV broadcast that no decision has been made on whether Trask or veteran Teddy Bridgewater will serve as QB2. Bowles reiterated that stance after the game.
The Bills struck first when Frank Gore Jr. — the son of legendary running back Frank Gore — punched in a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He finished with 32 rushing yards and two catches for 29 more.
Buffalo wideout Tyrell Shavers provided one of the night’s highlights with a spectacular, one-handed, diving grab for an 11-yard touchdown over cornerback Bryce Hall. Shavers also impressed on special teams, earning praise from head coach Sean McDermott.
For the Bucs, rookie receiver Tez Johnson celebrated his 1-yard TD catch with a midair flip, cutting Buffalo’s lead to 14-10. Bowles said the seventh-round pick boosted his chances of sticking with the roster.
The game also featured explosive returns. Tampa Bay averaged 38 yards on five kickoff returns, with Josh Williams posting a 42-yarder and Kameron Johnson breaking free for 57 yards. Buffalo countered with Laviska Shenault’s 38-yard return as part of a 31.6-yard team average.
In an unusual twist, Bills tight end Zach Davidson handled punting duties with Brad Robbins sidelined by illness. A former punter at Central Missouri, Davidson unleashed a 62-yarder on his first attempt.
The preseason is over, and the real games await. Bills: Open the regular season at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football, Sept. 7. Buccaneers: Visit the Atlanta Falcons in an NFC South clash on Sept. 7.
For Buechele, Saturday was about more than the scoreboard. After a year away, he reminded the league he belongs under center.
