The Buccaneers’ quarterback picture is still unsettled, and Jalon Daniels keeps making it harder to ignore.
Daniels, an undrafted free agent rookie, has stacked up two strong preseason outings as he continues to run Tampa Bay’s offense with confidence. That push has created real pressure in the quarterback room, where the battle for Baker Mayfield’s backup spot now appears to be between Daniels and Jake Browning.
The clearest snapshot came in last week’s preseason game against the Chiefs, when both quarterbacks got their chance. Browning completed 8 of 11 passes for 84 yards in the first half, while Daniels finished 9 of 14 for 71 yards and a touchdown in the second. The numbers were fairly close, but the scoreboard told a different story: Tampa Bay was shut out in the first half and scored 16 points after halftime, with Daniels leading the offense on multiple scoring drives.
After that game, Todd Bowles made it clear the competition was real, saying the team still had not settled on who would be Mayfield’s primary backup this season. That leaves Friday’s preseason finale against the Jaguars as a major part of the evaluation.
Bowles said Wednesday that the team still hadn’t chosen a starter for that game and would meet to discuss it over the next two days.
Todd Bowles says that he has not decided who will start the team’s preseason game on Friday and that the team will sit down and talk about it today and tomorrow
There’s also a wrinkle that adds to the uncertainty: Daniels was working as the Buccaneers’ second-string quarterback during Wednesday’s joint practice with the Jaguars. That could point to him getting the start on Friday, which would be a notable shift from where things stood at the start of the offseason.
So far in 7-on-7 it’s been all Baker Mayfield and Jalon Daniels taking reps today - Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak relegated to just throws in indy.This team looks to be positioning Daniels to be QB2. We’ll see what happens.
Still, Browning remains in the mix for a reason. The Buccaneers brought him in because of his experience and his comfort running a pro-style offense, while Daniels has flashed the athletic traits and big-play ability that have turned heads all summer.
At this point, the outside view only goes so far. Fans may be reading the tea leaves, but the final call on Daniels or Browning behind Mayfield belongs to the people inside the building.
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Wirfs, back after his injury, has been especially pointed about the offensive lines responsibility in helping set that tone. Mayfield can supply the fire, but the Bucs know that emotion alone will not solve a problem that showed up repeatedly over the course of last season. The line is expected to do more than protect him, too, with Tampa Bay wanting it to help carry the energy that the offense lacked and turn those sluggish openings into something closer to a statement. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Backup QB Battle Just Put One Roster Spot In Focus
With Baker Mayfield firmly installed as the starter, the Buccaneers have one of their clearest preseason questions centered on the backup quarterback job. Jalon Daniels and Jake Browning are both in the mix, and Tampa Bays staff has spent camp sorting through how each fits behind a veteran starter as the roster clock ticks toward final cuts.
Todd Bowles has not said who will open the final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but both Daniels and Browning are expected to play, giving the Buccaneers one last look before decisions have to be made. The interesting wrinkle is that Tampa Bay could keep three quarterbacks on the active roster, which leaves open the possibility that this battle is not only about who backs up Mayfield, but whether both contenders end up sticking around. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Cutdown Day Could Reward A Few Camp Standouts
With the Buccaneers heading into their final preseason game, the real pressure point is no longer the scoreboard but the roster math. Tampa Bay must trim from 90 players to 53 soon after the exhibition slate ends, and that always creates an opening for the under-the-radar names who have spent camp making the strongest possible case. This year, a handful of standouts have done enough in training camp and preseason action to keep their names in the conversation as the front office sorts through depth and positional needs.
Garnes, Patterson, Fordham and Williams have each flashed in ways that make them worth watching when cutdown day arrives. The Buccaneers do not need to announce anything yet, and the final decisions are still ahead, but the existence of those candidacies says plenty about how competitive the back end of the roster has become. For players who were supposed to be fighting uphill all summer, that is the kind of momentum that can turn a solid August into a real chance at sticking around. [Read more 🡒]