Can Jalon Daniels’ Legs Give Him An Edge Over Jake Browning?
August 26th, 2026
Too soon?
Joe hasn’t heard this much talk about legs since Carrie Underwood’s opening for Sunday Night Football last aired.
But no, Underwood, sadly, has no connection to the Bucs. Backup quarterback Jalon Daniels does. And so far in two worthless preseason games, facing truck drivers and accountants, he’s shown that he can negate a pass rush/rotten blocking with his legs.
Even Jenna Laine has noticed her ESPN data referencing last weekend’s worthless preseason game against the Chiefs.
His play on the move really stood out during a night when Jake Browning was pressured on 58% of his dropbacks and was sacked three times.
That horrendous pass blocking seemed to vanish when Daniels was on the field. Oh, it was there, but Daniels used escapability to negate it.But is that enough for Daniels to become the Bucs’ No. 2 quarterback for Week 1 in Cincinnati?
Joe has doubts.
Two things Chucky (Jon Gruden) — who absolutely raved about Daniels — pointed out about the Kansas product has to give Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson indigestion when it comes to chatter that Daniels should be QB2.
The first was Daniels doesn’t yet know the playbook. Chucky noted Daniels was late getting out of huddles. Chucky said that means the rookie is struggling with the playcalls.
(Baker Mayfield said Daniels’ biggest obstacle will be learning the playbook and the verbiage, like any other rookie.)
Second, Chucky said Daniels did not field direct snaps from center cleanly because he is still used to calling every play from shotgun like he did at Kansas.
Joe thinks those are big deals. Not having those two elements down can easily lead to mistakes and the dreaded turnovers.
Oh, Daniels could be ready to rock by October. But with the start of the season so close, Joe just doesn’t believe Todd Bowles would trust his career to a green-as-grass undrafted free agent rookie if something happens to Mayfield.
The future seems bright for Daniels, but it will take at least several weeks to be realized.
August 26th, 2026 at 4:11 am
Ok! I agree that for the first quarter of the season, Browning is number 2. But if Mayfield needs to sit for a game in November to heal up, give me the playmaker for a game.
August 26th, 2026 at 5:13 am
The TD pass to Ko is why you make him the backup QB. Browning simply can’t make that play. He can’t move like that, or throw across his body with enough zip to fit that pass in there. Daniels can.
August 26th, 2026 at 5:44 am
So, is it possibly are once promising O-Line coaching staff isn’t as promising as first thought?
August 26th, 2026 at 5:53 am
Hodad is dead on. Browning is that awful mix of oblivious plus the accompanying case of the yips that comes with that in the pocket while Daniels, even when he was sacked was moving away from the rush and trying to open a lane to a receiver. Daniel’s awareness and movement skills are head and shoulders above Browing’s.
The most impressive difference is Daniel’s’ ability to deliver balls with zip and precision on the move. That TD to Ko was a thing of beauty. It was only the second most impressive throw on that drive though. He did the same this where he had both feet in the air on his release but sent a laser for a sideline completion 30 yards down the field. A lot of rookies can’t make that connection with both feet set in a clean pocket. Not many established back-ups can either.
I hope he learns fast and stays healthy. Browning’s slip is showing after that KC performance.
August 26th, 2026 at 6:12 am
Bring in the top old QB that is released on Sunday, JD will have to be #3 for a while.
No way is he a capable #2 QB after throwing less than 30 preseason passes
I really like the kids potential but…
August 26th, 2026 at 6:12 am
Stash him on IR or see ya later gator. Can’t waste a roster spot on him.
August 26th, 2026 at 6:13 am
Hodad…. There was a easier wide open receiver in the EZ when JD threw the TD to Ko
August 26th, 2026 at 7:04 am
In a word-Yes.
August 26th, 2026 at 7:16 am
I’m mean, if you can athletically make yourself a harder target while buying yourself more time to look downfield or get up field, than ya being mobile is a much better than being a statue.
August 26th, 2026 at 7:25 am
Put Browning on the practice squad and call him up if something happens to Baker in the first half of the season. It would be much easier to sneak him on than Daniels.
August 26th, 2026 at 7:55 am
He doesn’t need to know 💯 of the playbook to be effective. Thats one of his advantages. Playing off-script, when things breakdown. Browning on the other hand, is USELESS. So, what difference does it make then!? You already KNOW what you’re getting with Browning. He holds onto the ball for way too long (about like Baker), and is too indecisive. So, I’m not sure that HE even knows the playbook, HIMSELF. And, let’s not forget that HE was benched for a 40-YEAR OLD. The Bengals had seen ENOUGH. There’s just way too much YOUNG TALENT in this league right now, and even more coming up… To just continuously turning to these SAME OLD fricking RETREADS. Just because, you have a BUNCH of weak scared Head Coaches. So, whoever it was who made the call on TEDDY last season, CANNOT be involved in making THIS DECISION. It’s a nonstarter. Totally, disqualifying.
August 26th, 2026 at 8:06 am
@Joe missed another call-out from Gruden: Daniels doesn’t do deep out patterns well or on time. (Chucky had a string of offhanded yet amazing calls).
The most impressive part of Daniels’ TD throw was the Ko catch. Can Kieft really do that again?? If so he’s got a slot on this team, and as something more than a designated blocker.
While I liked what we saw in the late second half from Daniels, it’s suspect. Unlikely another team would gift wrap a roster spot based on a rousing performance against fourth-stringers. Then again the Browns are the Browns, while the Steelers only have themselves four QBs and so desperately need another.
August 26th, 2026 at 8:13 am
I believe Daniels entire body and brain gives him the advantage over the statue Browning. Mediocrity will be the curse of this franchise if Jake is the backup.
August 26th, 2026 at 8:26 am
can’t leave Shaun King ++ unprotected in any way. can even prolly get Browning back, not exactly a prized commodity
August 26th, 2026 at 8:31 am
the botched snaps under center are a problem but we’ve seen baker have that same issue…
i think its BS to assume Browning knows the playbook more/better than Daniels…Browning, with all his “experience” looks horrible…or shall i say the same as he did last year right before CINCY traded for Joe
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 26th, 2026 at 8:39 am
Browning might not have had a good O Line but pressure is real in this league.
One handled it with his legs the other on his back. Big difference.
He will learn the playbook he is smart.
If he is indeed kept on the roster, I would use him on option type runs and rollouts kinda like NO used Taysom Hill.
IMO that’s the best way to get him reps.
Baker might not like it but if it works who cares.
Starting to feel like this kid will be in competition next year with a FA and whoever we draft.
This Top 3 Offensive Line got worked. Not a good look.
August 26th, 2026 at 8:55 am
No risk it, no biscuit. Dump Browning, pick up another guy off waivers and keep the kid on the roster. Don’t play scared. When will they learn?
August 26th, 2026 at 9:00 am
Move Daniels to slot receiver…..
Gives that position depth and allows him to be emergency 3rd QB…
August 26th, 2026 at 9:16 am
A run-around guy looking good against 3rd and 4th stringers during garbage time of a preseason game is unmoving. A commenter: “One handled it with his legs the other on his back. Big difference.” I have a problem with this. Escapability is fine, designing plays to get a guy outside the pocket: cool. But run around guys dont win you shootouts and they dont win you superbowls. Can he make pre snap reads, does he get rid of the football, can he throw lasers if you’re down 30-20 going in to the 4th quarter. This is my issue with Lamar Jackson, when he is forced in to being one dimensional, and the defense is concerned about the pass ONLY because theyre down by 2 scores – he isnt in the same universe as a Mahomes, Allen, Peyton etc etc.Tim Tebow can get you 15 carries for 88 yards all day, but if hes 11-25 for 114 yards passing then it doesnt matter. Youre a running back, not a quarterback.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:35 am
The team is as effed if Browning is in there for an extended period as it if is Daniels is. May as well go with the kid. More upside.
*Much* more upside.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:54 am
@Marty
Agree. I’d rather get beat trying to win than trying not to lose. Bowles is a try not to lose guy, however. No guts and little imagination. It’s why he shouldn’t be a HC.
August 26th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Browning should be released.
Sign someone who becomes free after Sunday thatat least has a chance to win one game. Browning has never won a game in which he started. He’s not likely to start now.
JD would be an option…but…we all know he isn’t ready…yet.
Worth keeping JD just for the Wildcat possibilities.
August 26th, 2026 at 10:41 am
His legs help, but Daniels also has the most arm talent on the team.
August 26th, 2026 at 11:27 am
We need a real Back up QB,, Browning isn’t it and JD will take 2 or 3 years of work to become a competent back up QB,,, There are a bunch of teams with quality back ups galore ,, wait for cut down day?? Don’t the Falcons have MP, Tua, Cooper Rush and Jack Strand ? There is no way they will keep 4 QBs . Vikings have Kyler, JJ, Wentz and Brosmer,, perhaps they unload Wentz? We just need an upgrade in case!!!
August 26th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Browning only has one thing over Daniels. Experience.
From a talent standpoint Daniels is vastly superior to Browning.
Baker will not be on the bench unless he has a catastrophic injury.
That gives Daniels a ton of time to learn behind him this year.
Cut Browning. Easy decision at this point.
August 26th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
I hope he is the QB 3……..for now. Hopefully by mid-season he will know the playbook enough to be QB 2. In the meantime, the Bucs need to use him creatively. Have him on the field with Mayfield. Put him in the slot. Or next to Mayfield. Whatever. Just use his talents while grooming him to be QB 2.