Jason Licht Lauds QB Jalon Daniels
August 23rd, 2026
Well, it’s now beyond obvious the Bucs will keep backup quarterbacks Jalon Daniels and Jake Browning on their initial 53-man roster.
In addition to undrafted rookie Daniels showing the NFL world in successive games that he’s at least No. 3 QB material with strong upside, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht was heard gushing about Daniels publicly.
Welcome to the roster, Jalon!
Before last night’s preseason game against the Chiefs, Licht chatted with new Buccaneers radio play-by-play voice Tony Castricone on the team’s radio network.
Licht was hit with a question about his University of Kansas quarterback and had an energetic response.
“In his [college] games, he’s just a really good athlete. He’s super competitive. He’s got a rifle for an arm and playmaking ability,” Licht said. “Now that we’ve been around him throughout the spring and now. Nobody (pause), I mean he works extremely hard. Waiting for his opportunity, and I thought he did a great job playing composed last week [against the Jets]. You know, he’s not just an athlete runner with the ball and having a strong arm; there’s a lot of those guys that never made it in the league. But just the way that he felt composed and his poise in the pocket [last week] was pretty impressive.”
Castricone noted to Licht that Daniels has a great smile and brings the team great energy. “He sure does,” Licht replied.
Again, Licht’s comments were pregame, before Daniels showed again that he is a talent worthy of the NFL.
If the Bucs dared to waive Daniels, there’s a good chance at least one team would claim him. So the Bucs wouldn’t be able to stash him on their practice squad.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:15 pm
I think it is a must to keep him. Gonna cost a WR though so we probably only keep 5 there.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:17 pm
I’d rather waive Ryan Griffin, I mean Jake Browning, over Jalon Daniels at this point….
But I completely understand why you keep all 3 for now w/ Ryan’s, I mean Jake’s, real-time game experience
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Joes Bucs Fan is the Best. You are the man. Hope he
can throw the long NFL out pass. That looks like
a weakness, has a ton of athletic ability and composure.
Browning needs some work to see the defense and determine
where the pressure is coming from. Hopefully Bowles has
gotten rid of the cancers from last year. Waiting for Dennis to go
away. The intensity of the defense the last two games has been noticeable.
The CB’s are actually interested in the game this year. Dean I think was
the culprit. He infected Mccolum, Morrison, Dennis, Winfield, and Reddick was already a terminal case.
terminal. Just my 2 cents.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:22 pm
I don’t see an issue here with the QB position for the Bucs. Daniels has shown enough to be a backup QB. Ballsack didn’t do anything to earn a spot on the team.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Of Course he’d be gobbled up within an hour or two of hitting the wire.
He’s not going Anywhere! He’s just too good to let go of compared to our other options and Most teams are in the same boat. We’d be FOOLS otherwise!
And for those talking smack about Browning having a few games experience over him.. WELL YOU’RE NOT WATCHING THE LIVE GAMES OR YOU’D KNOW BETTER!
Brown is NOTHING… Nothing special AT ALL… Stick in the mud player that’s STUCK in the mud… With the exception of one scramble. Browning gets credit for that but that’s about it. And to be honest, that WAS a surprise! Browns best play of the night, Daniel’s pulled something out of his bag constantly. WITH “Style”
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Oh…. One other thing..
Daniels won us both games btw. Last night it was crystal clear that it was BECAUSE OF him… He found WAYS to GET what Wins games…. TOUCHDOWNS!
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:36 pm
One more thing,
Robinson is doing a decent job so far. The gloves haven’t come off yet but so far so good for Robinson. At least, I didn’t notice any major screw ups from his play calling. TBC…
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:41 pm
Ah, the yearly preseason rush to judgement about who will and won’t be immediately helpful.
The love for Jalon Daniels is right on, but thinking he’s ready to be the 2nd string backup is way off. Browning isn’t where he’s at because he’s an exciting player with off the charts ability. He’s there because if and when Baker can’t perform – a known commodity with a predictable floor who can immediately take over.
If you really like Daniels you want him playing 3rd string this season. Give him a year to get his mechanics fixed and time to get acclimated to being under center most of the time.
The cautionary tale is Malik Willis. He was put into action by the Titans and wasn’t ready. He had possibly one of the worst small sample rookie experiences ever. The Titans discarded him for virtually nothing and 2 years later he’s winning a lot of games for the Packers when Love went down. He needed time and Tennessee wouldn’t give it to him. It blew up in their faces.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Keep Daniels as the #3 this year , # 2 next year and then reevaluate ,,, I think if he really works hard and learns everything he can , he can be a Snoop Huntley type and make good money in this league ,, and come in (not this year) and hold the fort down while the #1 recovers from injury ,, that’s all you can ask of a back up, btw Huntley is also 6’1”
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:48 pm
Something to consider- if we were to put Daniel’s on our practice squad, in order for another team to take him , they have to put him on their active 53 man roster. They most likely will already have their roster set when they make their final cuts . They can’t simply take him and store him on their practice squad.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:49 pm
Hopefully some team might wanna part with a 7th for Browning…
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:57 pm
OurYear Says:
Something to consider- if we were to put Daniel’s on our practice squad, in order for another team to take him , they have to put him on their active 53 man roster. They most likely will already have their roster set when they make their final cuts . They can’t simply take him and store him on their practice squad.
***************
There’s **NOTHING** that will make an NFL GM move heaven and Earth faster than the words “free promising QB”. Even if they already have a franchise QB in house and a decent backup. It’s the rarest of diamonds in all sports leagues combined.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Even though it will eat up a roster spot, we have to keep Daniels…..
Better a LB, WR or TE on the practice squad…..most of them will stay there until we need them.
The problem is ST……..Neither backup QB will contribute there.
August 23rd, 2026 at 2:59 pm
I would really like to see ex QB Bauer Sharp in a wildcat formation a few times this year……
August 23rd, 2026 at 3:00 pm
JOE hit the nail on the head in another article about browning and Bowles trusting him over Daniels cause of job security and the same thing was being said when baker and trask were battling it out in camp a few years ago and look what happened. Even tho it seems trask had a tiny bit better camp than baker Bowles went with baker most likely for the experience baker had and I will say Bowles made the right choice. Also baker would have need to have both legs missing to miss a game even if that ment he would lose us the game not saying it right but dam the dude will die on the field and you can’t teach that.
August 23rd, 2026 at 3:09 pm
2 basically college practices for Daniel’s..He doing what he should be doing …
August 23rd, 2026 at 3:09 pm
TampaBayBucFan Says:
The problem is ST……..Neither backup QB will contribute there.
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Agreed, but it’s manageable. Keeping 3 QB’s on the active roster means they’ll have to manage their practice squad promotions a little more carefully. Injury promotions usually involve a guy with some ST experience, but keeping 3 QBs on the active roster makes that requirement a little more solid.
Whether they keep 5 or 6 WRs on the active roster – or 3 or 4 RBs/TE’s to account for the extra spot will be worth watching.
August 23rd, 2026 at 3:13 pm
other teams are nudging each other in the front offices saying…
“why didn’t we grab this kid”
he would be roster plucked in no time off the PS…
it’s proof in the pudding we still have a top front office, spytek or no spytek
August 23rd, 2026 at 3:14 pm
and our grouping of draftees, as well as some other udfa’s, looks super promising at this stage of the game
August 23rd, 2026 at 3:34 pm
obvious one, you got to slow down man, he was throwing against 3rd stringers and they were basic throws. he’s got some talent and he could be really good, but let’s not anoint him the next big thing just yet. definitely should be battling for back up qb though.
August 23rd, 2026 at 3:43 pm
I am a fan of Daniels. Hopefully, he is not immediately anointed as the answer to Mayfield leaving. He does not need that hanging over his head. Yet.
August 23rd, 2026 at 3:54 pm
Joe——
Yes, you can “stash him” on the practice squad … almost totally. If another team claims Daniels on waivers, he automatically is placed on their active roster for weeks. –Joe
Each week practice squads are determined by each team on Tuesday. Each team also has the option of protecting 4 practice squad players until the following Monday, when there is a small window for protected players to be poached.
So let’s say Daniels is one of the four protected, but gets poached on a Monday.
The team that grabs him is forced to put him on its 53 man active roster where the player is guaranteed at least three weeks of 53 man roster paychecks.
So, it ain’t cheap to go poaching. If you’re gonna grab someone off another team you’d better be prepared to either use him or have him readily available on the sidelines to play if needed.
With QB’s it’s even worse on the poacher. The practice player would automatically have to dress for that weeks game, and how is a QB expected to learn another team’s playbook in less than a week?
August 23rd, 2026 at 4:01 pm
poach these nuts
August 23rd, 2026 at 4:27 pm
The decision is simple – if Baker is hurt and misses a start against a quality team does Browning win that game?
If it isn’t a resounding yes, you keep Daniels and hope he gets better each week and is in the mix for the real job next year. Daniels is also a natural scout team QB right now to get the D reps against mobile QBs.
August 23rd, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Browning should go to PS. Don’t waste a roster spot on the 53 for him.
Daniels is the Man. I wouldn’t even mind him starting for us over Baker, but obviously Baker’s gonna be QB1 unless he gets injured too badly to play.
But if he gets injured to badly to play good (like what happened lart year), we should sit Baker and play Daniels til Bake’s fully healthy.
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:04 pm
BROWNING DID NOT IMPRESS ME SO FAR. BUT DANIALS HAS BIG TIME .
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:05 pm
DANIALS HAS THE TOOLS ,NEEDS EXPERIANCE . COACH HIM UP SIT BEHIND BAKER AND LEARN. !:
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:08 pm
People who mention Browning’s playing experience? He’s never actually won a gome he started…
At this point, I would take Danials over Browning, but people need to keep in mind he has only played against 3rd and 4th strings.
I’m not saying he can’t do well against better talent, but until he does he’s really not proven anything at all..
We really need a better quality backup than both of them.
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:09 pm
Joe——
Yes, all players taken from another team’s practice squad must on the new team’s 53 for at least three weeks. But the major difference between the 4 protected and other practice squad players is the one day window for another team to sign one of the protected verses open season on the unprotected.
There are no readily available statistics on how often this has been done with quarterbacks.
My guess is not very often, and only in extreme emergencies.
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Successful NFL QB’s who were Undrafted:
1. Kurt Warner
2. Warren Moon
3. Tony Romo
4. Jake Delhomme
(Next one on that list might be Jalon Daniels)
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:39 pm
Got to be honest my eyeball test liked Garrett Nussmeier more than either Browning or Daniels.
He is 3rd string on KC and KC is known for keeping only two QB’s.
Really, that would be a guy I would focus on.
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:08 pm
People who mention Browning’s playing experience? He’s never actually won a gome he started…
Well that is incorrect. In 2023 started 7 games for the Bengals and went 4 wins and 3 losses with a 70 percent completion rate in those games.
August 23rd, 2026 at 5:54 pm
To the person who said he would like Daniels to start over Baker-
Are you NUTS?!?! We are talking about a QB who was drafted #1 Overall vs. a QB who wasn’t drafted at all! Baker was playing at an MvP level last year until the wheels fell off the Offensive line causing him to get hurt. Yes, Daniels is exciting and fun to watch but we are talking about QBs in entirely different galaxies in skill level here. Ugh.
August 23rd, 2026 at 6:09 pm
Stpetematt,
Would you say that Baker’s skill level is higher than Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, Tony Romo, and Jake Delhomme’s was???
Because they were all undrafted too.
I know football pretty well, and Daniels’s raw skill/talent level is almost equal to and maybe even equal to Baker’s. And that’s a compliment to both Daniels and Baker. If Baker was 15 other starting QB’s in the league, I would say that Daniels’ skill/talent level is better.
August 23rd, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Daniels > Baker
Trade Mayfield for a bag of used footballs.
We can win 8 games without him and the ego.
Also, has Bowles been fired yet?
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:02 pm
Summers eve…you dont have to be an a$$hole all your life
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Bakers NFL yards passing 28500, Daniels 0,,,,,,, after the 2026 season Bakers total NFL yards 33000, Daniels 0,, let the kid learn for a few years , protect him from poachers and eventually he could become greater than Trask (although Trasks college career was better )
My Cleveland Buddy would kill to have Baker back,, instead they have 140 million of dead cap upcoming
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:52 pm
Preseason stats:
Daniels, 182 yards, 65.5% comp, 1 TD, 0 INT, 28 yards rushing, 1 TD – 94.3 passer rating
Baker, 10 yards, 50% comp, 0 TD, 0 INT, 0 yards rushing, 0 TDs – 56.2 passer rating
Daniels, if you prorate his production over a full game, would work out to about 32-points a game. Baker’s production, meanwhile, would work out to 0 points per game.
Seems pretty obvious why the Bucs didn’t move after their initial offer. Once the practices started, they saw that Daniels looked like the best QB on the Bucs, and seem pretty comfortable going all-in with him going forward. With an extra $54M in cap space next year, think of all the talent they can add – and clearly it made them a lot more comfortable with giving Vita a new deal as well.
August 23rd, 2026 at 7:56 pm
Preseason stats , Gradkowski beats them all and it’s not even close,,, God Bless Bruce
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:32 pm
The median IQ on this hellsite can’t be more than 80
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:44 pm
BUCS BETTER KEEPVTHIS GUY ! NO WAVERS ! MADE THE TEAM ! HE HAS THE TSLENT AND THECWANT TO .SMART COOL UNDER PRESSURE , AND CAND MOTOR . LOOKS LIKE THE BUCS JUST GOT A GREAT PROSPECT FALLING INTO THERE LAPE.
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:44 pm
BUCS BETTER KEEPVTHIS GUY ! NO WAVERS ! MADE THE TEAM ! HE HAS THE TSLENT AND THECWANT TO .SMART COOL UNDER PRESSURE , AND CAND MOTOR . LOOKS LIKE THE BUCS JUST GOT A GREAT PROSPECT FALLING INTO THERE LAPE. Post this it’s notvthe same .
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:54 pm
Some seem so DESPERATE to cling to any hope from a meaningless preseason game to dream up some fantasy for a guy who showed promise against a field full of scrubs….
August 23rd, 2026 at 8:56 pm
“If the Bucs dared to waive Daniels, there’s a good chance at least one team would claim him. So the Bucs wouldn’t be able to stash him on their practice squad.”
I highly doubt it, there’s zero national buzz about Daniels, and he’s been doing it against 3rd and 4th stringers as the Bucs are hiding him to some extent. For another team to use a roster spot for him, he’d need even more production, and against at 2nd teamers, and he hasn’t had that chance. I just can’t see another team spending a roster spot on him as almost every team has some young wildcard they’re holding out hope for, and most teams only carry 2 QBs on their active rosters.
With that said, I’m fine with giving Daniels the backup job over Browning. In fact I think Browning would be even less of a risk to be picked up if he was cut, and would make it to the PS pretty easily (assuming he wanted to stay here, and didn’t dart to say, Cincinnati to be on their PS). The biggest thing with Browning is the complete lack of velocity he throws with. After the game last night, I went back and rewatched some of his tape from 2023, when he was actually pretty decent – and that, combined with the passes I’ve saw last night, yikes. In 2023, it was a ton of Chase and Higgins making plays. He did seem to have a bit more zip on some passes, but mostly it was soft serve junk, and just relying on Chase and Higgins to make some great plays to get to the ball. Browning did have some good accuracy, but if you can’t throw with velocity, it’s hard to move the ball. At least with Daniels, you could try working in a bunch of QB runs to try to get things going if he had to play – and Daniels clearly has a much better arm. The only issue with Daniels, really, is his inconsistency – then again, Baker Mayfield is the post child of being inconsistent.
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:02 pm
I actually agree w Munch,, put JD on the 53 and either keep browning on the 53 or move him to the PS,,, but these other Jokers that took JD and took him from Hope to make the team to , on the PS , to surpassing Browning (should have stopped there ) and then surpassing Baker and going right to Lamar and Steve Young territory based on looking good in preseason . Well that’s crazy town ,,, let’s put the kid on the 53 and let him learn and leave it at that
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:11 pm
@ Chad
You sound like you didn’t watch the game. Slow down? For the back up qb? PLEASE!
Perhaps You should Speed Up! He made childs play out of those 3rd and 4th stringers… Your boy Brown showed out just like the color of his name against those SAME 3rd and 4th stringers.. But then you didn’t notice THAT since you didn’t watch the game now did you …
You Better buy Yourself A CLUE…
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:13 pm
Oh yeah chad..
Of Course you didn’t notice that Daniels Won BOTH of the pre season games. He didn’t participate a little. “HE” WON THEM!
August 23rd, 2026 at 9:21 pm
Drew Lock looks like a HOFer tonight ,,, wait,,,, it’s the preseason lol
August 24th, 2026 at 1:07 am
Seriously think keeping Browning is a waste