Ted Hurst’s first preseason game in a Buccaneers uniform gave Tampa Bay a little bit of everything: a few flashes, a few frustrations, and a reminder that the rookie receiver still has room to grow.
The Buccaneers beat the New York Jets 24-16 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Friday, and Hurst was one of the names plenty of fans and observers had circled. Tampa Bay selected him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Georgia State, and the questions around him have been obvious: can a player from a lower-tier college program hold up at the NFL level?
For one night, the answer looked like a mixed bag. Hurst was targeted six times and finished with two catches for 19 yards. His longest reception went for 12 yards, and he did not find the end zone.
There were reasons to like what he put on tape. Hurst showed polish as a route runner, especially on the play that set up his first real shot at a touchdown.
He also nearly came up with a catch that was ruled incomplete; the ball from Conor Bazelak was thrown so low that the call stood, but Hurst appeared to have made a strong play on it. His speed showed up too, and that kind of movement gives him a foundation to build on.
The rougher part of the night came at the catch point. Hurst has had some trouble being physical and coming back to the football, and that showed most clearly on a dropped pass at the goal line on the second drive. Bazelak put the ball behind him, but it was still a chance Hurst should have finished.
That’s the story with Hurst right now: flashes of a player who could develop into the X receiver Tampa Bay wants, but also enough unfinished business to keep the spotlight on his next steps. The encouraging part is that the issues are the kind a receiver can work through, and the Buccaneers also expect better quarterback play to help him along.
He’ll have another chance soon. Tampa Bay’s next preseason game is against the Kansas City Chiefs at home, and Hurst should get more opportunities there.
Baker Mayfield could be the one feeding him targets if he plays this preseason. If not, Jalon Daniels and Jake Browning would be next in line.
After that, Hurst will get another chance to test himself against top competition when the Buccaneers head to Jacksonville for a joint practice with the Jaguars.
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The Buccaneers first preseason look against the Jets was less about the 24-16 final and more about the kind of roster sorting that usually defines August. Tampa Bay used the game as an extended evaluation window, with the coaching staff watching how individual players handled live action, from the quarterback room to the rest of the offense, defense and special teams.
Connor Bazelak and Jalon Daniels both drew close attention in a matchup that featured plenty of uneven moments, along with a few flashes that will keep their names in the conversation. For a team trying to sort out the bottom of the roster, the bigger takeaway was the competition itself, and the fact that the first real test brought both encouraging signs and some messy tape to sort through. [Read more 🡒]
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Daniels is fighting Connor Bazelak for the third quarterback job, and the way the reps were divided made the battle feel very real. Bazelak got the first half, Daniels finished the game, and now Tampa Bay has a decision to sort through after seeing both passers in live action under preseason pressure. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Bowles Just Set Up Tampa Bays Next Preseason Decision
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Todd Bowles has already pointed to the second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs as the point when Tampa Bays starters are expected to play, with rookie Rueben Bain Jr. also slated to make his debut. What remains unsettled is how much work the first unit will actually get, and that choice could land anywhere from a brief tune-up to a more extended run before the preseason schedule keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]