So Who Is QB2?
August 29th, 2026
First speed bump of career.
So, now what?
So many folks had undrafted free agent quarterback Jalon Daniels as Baker Mayfield’s heir apparent after putting together really fun plays in the first two worthless preseason games.
Then came last night when Daniels started. As Al Davis would ask, “What’s his pedigree?” He’s undrafted free agent, Al. And he looked the part last night.
Joe really likes Daniels. Go in the archives here and read Joe celebrating the Bucs signing the Kansas product.
But that’s what Daniels is: A project.
In last night’s early moments of the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast, former Bucs Super Bowl winner and Hall of Fame corner Rondé Barber all but crowned Daniels the Bucs’ No. 2 quarterback. Last night’s game was supposed to be the coronation.
Instead, someone farted on the elevator.
The things Chucky was concerned with about Daniels last week reared their ugly head last night. Specifically, how Daniels is still learning how to take a snap directly from center.
Last night Daniels fumbled a snap. Not good. Was it a bad snap? Maybe.
No, Daniels did not look good. And he got zero help from a really poor group of Bucs backup offensive linemen. How bad are they? They made Chris Braswell in training camp practices look like Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett.
But, like Joe said about No. 2 quarterback Jake Browning, if Daniels is ever called upon to play for Mayfield, he will be playing behind a far superior offensive line.
Joe just does not see KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles trusting Daniels. Hell, Bowles didn’t trust Kyle Trask and he was a veteran. Are we really to believe Bowles, who is on the hot seat, will trust his career to a green undrafted free agent who struggles just to take the snap?
Joe likes Daniels a lot but that doesn’t mean Joe is going to play ostrich. He’s got talent, but he’s so green. Too green.
August 29th, 2026 at 5:59 am
Fair and reasonable analysis, Joe. That being said, he cannot stay on the practice squad. Someone will snatch him up.
August 29th, 2026 at 6:35 am
Receivers let him down on a couple of third downs. I know Sean King was drafted and was never supposed to see the field as a rookie. He didn’t get the job done, but we were glad we had him. Same with Daniels, you don’t want him to see the field, but if he has to, we will be glad we have him, hopefully
August 29th, 2026 at 6:42 am
The coronation was scheduled for last night. Unfortunately, somebody forgot to invite the quarterback.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:11 am
I thought by the eyeball test that Garrett Nussmeier looked better than Daniels in that 2nd preseason game even with the Chiefs offensive line looking horrible.
The Chiefs do not keep 3 QBs on their active squad and the two got to be Mahomes and Fields.
I am personally not sure why Bucs would not be exploring past both Browning and Daniels.
Whether Garrett Nussmeier or 7 to 10 other guys.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:36 am
I like him more than Kyle Trask or 2025 Teddy Bridgewater, our backups from the last 3 seasons
August 29th, 2026 at 7:48 am
I just hope nobody starts making excuses for him like he didn’t have a starting OL or first team WR out there. Nobody in the JBF comments section thinks these are an excuse for poor qb play, correct?
Or is that just the ones you don’t like?
August 29th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Daniels will be on the roster initially, but will be replaced and put on practice squad if a better QB is cut (e.g., Gabriel, Nussmeir one of the many league retreads).
August 29th, 2026 at 7:50 am
We need rod munch in here right away. He’ll punch this guy back up to all star level in no time.
August 29th, 2026 at 8:09 am
Well, we know Browning stinks.
Daniels may stink, too, but he’s definitely more mobile and may have an upside.
August 29th, 2026 at 8:17 am
Lichts biggest ball drop of the off season, is not the contract disputes, its not having ONE capable, experienced backup QB behind Baker to carry the load God forbid Baker decides to not be a warrior and play thru pain and injuries to protect himself for other options. Because if he he’s out for more than one game, the season is over!
August 29th, 2026 at 8:18 am
The kid needs snaps. If he’s on the practice squad is he allowed to practice with the 53 man roster?
August 29th, 2026 at 8:19 am
The perception of Daniels final preseason performance would be different if 5 or 6 of the good throws he made had all been caught instead of DROPPED by backup receivers…..
Yes – it was Daniels worst game – but he still looked MUCH more capable of making plays and completing passes than Browning who should be cut immediately….
August 29th, 2026 at 8:24 am
I agree with Alabama. You can teach a guy how to take a snap from center. You can’t coach away a noodle arm or lack of mobility. If Baker goes down, the season’s over anyway. Go with the young guy.
August 29th, 2026 at 8:35 am
@Pickgrin,
I agree, but in fairness some of those passes were more “got a hand on it” vs. “hit him right in the hands”.
But that one Kam dropped was freaking ridiculous and can get a guy cut.
August 29th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Browning Browning Browning, what the hell makes this, pretty much worthless 7 yr 7 game veteran who was 4-3 with the Bengals office. Jalon would have been 6-1 with them. This kid, if you let him get away, you’ll be getting spanked every time you meet him. Put him behind our real line with a little more tuning and Baker might have a problem. It’s like this commercial ending, EA sports- it’s in the game. Only it’s in the genetic makeup people, for Jalon Daniels!!
August 29th, 2026 at 8:51 am
I’m not sure Michael Penix got any better under Zac Robinson 🤔??? Could be another Trask in Browning, he’s not that good. Sorry but all four reads takes a second because in 2 more seconds you’re getting hit. In the NFL
August 29th, 2026 at 9:28 am
Browning is absolutely horrible. The guy holds onto the ball WAY too long. He stares down receivers and just looks all around bad.
The reality is that if Baker goes down for an extended period of time, the season is toast.
Give me the young, talented Daniels all day over Browning.
I would love to see what Daniels looks like with the starting oline and WRs.
Browning stinks
August 29th, 2026 at 9:31 am
No depth at QB. Again! No depth on the oline. Again!
Everyone makes mistakes. Winners learn from them and correct them. Losers repeat them again and again.
Which is “Ring of Honor” Licht? Unfortunately, that has turned out to be a rhetorical question.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:38 am
If Baker goes down, just draft his replacement in next year’s draft. Actually, should do that anyway. At $50+ million, this team will be below average in many positions.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Dylan Gabriel
August 29th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Barber was a Daniels Dood and had the,same non football agenda that Bee and munchy do. Evelyn irrational. Put him on the practice,squad. Nobody js taking him. Then see,who gets cut. You !might be,able to pick up Gabriel than cut Browning.
August 29th, 2026 at 10:12 am
I don’t understand all the hollering about depth! Who around the league has good depth!?
Where’s the money for quality depth?
If you wanna say we should have better depth at OL and CB than OLB and WR, fine, but pick your poison.
Better coaching would help.
August 29th, 2026 at 10:41 am
If we have no choice but the choose from the QBs currently on the roster, then JD has to be the choice.
But…as I’ve heen saying for months none of them are good choices for #2 QB.
We need to make JD the #2 for now, cut the others, and start bringing in free agents to try to find better.
I tried to tell people the hype on JD was misplaced all week, but in all fairness to him, he DID show a few glimpses of goodness.
We desperately need a better #2 though.
August 29th, 2026 at 10:47 am
Saskbucs Says
“I don’t understand all the hollering about depth! Who around the league has good depth!?”
Lots of teams have good depth.
Quality depth are players who have the potential to win at least a few games in a pinch. They are not full time starters for a reason, but that doesn’t mean they are horrible players.
And, I could be wrong on this, but I don’t think a team’s entire salary counts toward the cap? I think its more a certain number of the highest salaries.
I may be totally wrong on that though.
August 29th, 2026 at 11:40 am
That’s been the biggest problem with this entire organization, especially with Lickt & Bowles… Too WEAK. Too SCARED. And, always playing it too conservative and SAFE. Literally, on everything THEY DO. It’s why a step into the modern day NFL, with ‘aggressive’ FO’s, HC’s, and GM’s has been loooong overdue. It makes you just SICK though, because WE HAD OUR GUY!!!! Literally. IN-HOUSE. Seriously, Todd (and Jason) went with “TEDDY” last season, ‘thinking’ they were playing-it “SAFE.” You have to be BOLD in this league, or otherwise, then GTFO. We’re wasting our time here. You have to be STRONG and project BOLDNESS. Going with Browning at this point, CANNOT BE A REAL OPTION. He is completely WORTHLESS. It’s Pointless. Again, a total WASTE of TIME. 💯
August 29th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
JUST “draft one). NO. That’s the lazy mentality. It’s exactly what BAD TEAMS continue to do. There is ZERO strategy or purpose of that. NONE. They DRAFT QB’s, with TRASH ROSTERS… And, then just hold their breath, and close their eyes. It’s LAZY. It’s WEAK. It’s STUPID. And, it’s caving to ignorant, CLUELESS FANS.
August 29th, 2026 at 1:58 pm
The offensive line for him was terrible receivers weren’t catching the ball and I’ve seen Baker fumble multiple snaps now last night wasn’t the best game for him, but I still say he’s better than browning
August 29th, 2026 at 9:18 pm
If the answer to this question actually matters at some point this season…it really doesn’t matter…we are cooked.
August 29th, 2026 at 10:12 pm
uh.. pretty much every one of those were bad snaps bc the center was playing out of position and screwed up the timing. mahomes, brady, allen.. have also fumbled on bad snaps.