The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have now dropped four out of their last five games that have pushed them under the .500 mark on the season after a disappointing 37-34 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

This has also seen yet another quarterback situation arise with Jameis Winston struggling mightily throwing the ball in the game committing four interceptions that led to his benching and Ryan Fitzpatrick getting the opportunity to which he nearly orchestrated a double-digit comeback.

With that in mind, head coach Dirk Koetter has decided to start Fitzpatrick over Winston for Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1056978578502574082

Article Continues Below
More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News
Mystery player in the middle, Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield Jr around him, Buccaneers logo in the background
1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie who stood out most in 2025 minicampEnzo Flojo ·
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) celebrates after a 54-yard run in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Buccaneers’ Bucky Irving surpasses Vita Vea, Mike Evans for impressive honorJaren Kawada ·
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans (13) catches the ball during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium.
Buccaneers rumors: Why insider is wondering about a Mike Evans tradeJackson Stone ·
Haason Reddick in the middle, Baker Mayfield and Coach Todd Bowles around him, Stormy skies in the background
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ riskiest move in 2025 NFL offseasonEnzo Flojo ·
Featured image Desmond Watson
Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles breaks down Desmond Watson’s impact vs. Tush PushDylan Fine ·
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands off to running back Rachaad White (29) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Exclusive: Why Tom Brady’s former Buccaneers teammate calls him a ‘ghost’DJ Siddiqi ·

Since Winston returned from his three-game suspension to begin the year, he has struggled to play with any type of consistency in the passing game. In fact, he has become quite turnover prone throwing 10 interceptions to five touchdown passes in his first four games back while committing a pair of fumbles.

Winston hasn't provided that stability that the Buccaneers had hoped when they reinstated him as the starter as he struggles to throw the ball has continued to put his team in a big hole. These issues have once again opened the door for Fitzpatrick to take advantage of as he did in Sunday's game against the Bengals helping erase an 18-point deficit by completing 11-of-15 passes for 194 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

That impressive performance from Fitzpatrick has earned him another opportunity to take over starting quarterback duties moving forward this season. But given the volatile nature of the Bucs QBs' play this season, it may not be the last time they switch starters before the season is over.