The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head north to face the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight in Week 2 of the 2025 preseason at Acrisure Stadium. Both teams are looking to fine-tune rosters as they inch closer to the regular season.
For Tampa Bay, quarterback Baker Mayfield remains firmly in control of the offense, but won’t be playing tonight, according to NFL beat writer Rick Stroud. Mike Evans and Lavonte David will also sit.
Expect Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Trask, and Connor Bazelak to split reps as Todd Bowles evaluates QB2 and QB3 while continuing to sort WR rotations behind Evans.
For Pittsburgh, the plan is conservative: Aaron Rodgers and most starters are expected to sit, keeping the focus on roster battles. Keep an eye on fringe/ascending wideouts — including rookie Keshawn Williams and veteran Scotty Miller — as they try to cement roles with extended snaps.
Backup QB Mason Rudolph will get the start for the Steelers once again.
4 Things to Watch
Bucs backup QB pecking order — With Mayfield resting, how do Bridgewater, Trask, and Bazelak distribute drives and command the offense?
Pittsburgh’s WR bubble — Can rookies and fringe veterans (Keshawn Williams, Scotty Miller) stack another good night and lock down roster spots?
Tampa’s receiver depth — With Evans out, does the Bucs’ “loaded” WR room create separation for roles behind the starters?
Steelers’ sit-the-starters approach — With Rodgers and many starters sidelined, do the reserves maintain discipline and protect the ball?
How to Watch Buccaneers vs. Steelers
Kickoff for tonight’s Buccaneers–Steelers game is scheduled for 7:00 PM Eastern at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
The game will air on local broadcasts only: WFLA (NBC 8) in Tampa Bay and KDKA (CBS 2) in Pittsburgh.
If you’re in the Tampa or Pittsburgh markets, you can watch for free over the air on an antenna.
Out-of-market fans can stream through NFL+ starting at $6.99/month or $39.99/year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
TV: WFLA Channel 8 (Tampa Bay), KDKA (CBS 2 Pittsburgh), NFL Network (National)
Streaming: NFL+ (out-of-market), team mobile apps for in-market fans
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