What Should Bucs Do With Jalon Daniels?
August 24th, 2026
Playing ball.
Bucs’ No. 3 (?) quarterback Jalon Daniels just played his way into a problem for the Bucs next weekend.
Cutdown Day is Aug. 30. Can the Bucs not keep Daniels, hoping to sneak him through waivers and get him on the practice squad? Or has he shown so much that another team (hello Todd Monken) just may claim him and then the Bucs lose Daniels?
Or do the Bucs keep him on the 53-man roster, which means someone else the Bucs hoped to keep won’t be on the team come Sunday night?
Joe guesses it is a good problem to have.
When the Bucs signed Daniels as an undrafted free agent, Joe was both happy and intrigued. Joe had watched Daniels in college and he was a dangerous quarterback. He had the arm and he had wheels, but he wasn’t overly consistent.
Joe guesses that happens when a quarterback is as hurt as Daniels often was. In college, he sure was brittle.
So far, Daniels is forcing the Bucs to take notice. On Saturday night against the Chiefs, anyone with a white cane could see he created a spark on offense.
(Chucky said during the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast it was clear offensive coordinator Zac Robinson opened up the playbook for Daniels that he couldn’t use with Jake Browning.)
Asked after the game about the shot of juice that Daniels gave the beleaguered Bucs offense, he said he was just playing ball.
“I just come in with confidence,” Daniels said. “I think I’m very confident with everything that I do within this game of football.
“I’ve been playing since I was seven-years old. And when you think of it like that, when you go out there and play football, you’re kind of just like, ‘All right, bet.’
“I’ve been dreaming to be in this position since I was that young, and every single opportunity that comes my way, whenever my number is called, I’m going to go out there and do it 100 percent confidently, do it out there with a smile, and go out there and play 100 percent hard.”
It’s paying off for Daniels, who very likely will be earning a real NFL salary come Sunday night.
Is he a No. 2 quarterback? Joe can’t go there yet. He’s an undrafted free agent, man. At least Browning has started a few games. And Browning, if he does have to start (God forbid), he won’t be playing behind five turnstiles like he was Saturday night. Joe was absolutely grossed out by how badly the Bucs’ backup offensive line played.
Chucky loved Daniels but Chucky did point out some things that he needs to work on. Enough that Joe’s not sure he’s ready to backup Baker Mayfield if the Bucs’ franchise quarterback has to leave a game.
At least, not yet.
Think about it: If KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles didn’t trust Kyle Trask, who was a second-round pick, it’s hard to believe he would trust Daniels being so green and raw.
And remember, Bowles needs wins and he knows it. So Joe suspects Bowles will be cautious with playing Daniels (as Bowles was with Trask).
But man, the kid is fun to watch. Just like he was at Kansas.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:49 am
Pretty obvious now on why the Bucs refused to continue negotiating a new deal for Baker – clearly in camp Daniels has been the best QB in camp. Man, get him ready for next year, and you’re saying $54M at QB. Now it makes sense why the team was comfortable giving Vita all that money – they clearly know they’re going to have a lot more cap space than expected for the next 3 seasons after this year.
August 24th, 2026 at 3:50 am
If the Bucs want to keep developing this kid, he MUST be put on the 53. He won’t survive a second on the PS. He wouldn’t even clear waivers if cut.
August 24th, 2026 at 4:16 am
Browning sucks. You’re not winning anything with him. Baker goes down the season is toast.
August 24th, 2026 at 4:23 am
Fortunately, the kid has been able to show his stuff during preseason games. Worthless? No. Overpriced? Absolutely. Can you imagine the mistakes made on cutdown day if you didn’t have preseason games for second and third teammates?
August 24th, 2026 at 5:08 am
Browning sucks butt. For the life of me I don’t know why coaches prefer a browning or Bridgewater to come off the bench and guarantee a loss when the starter gets hurt vs someone with potential to light a spark.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:25 am
Danels is a diamond in the rough. This guy has the “It” factor. He came out of
the 2020 high school recruiting class with CJ Stroud and Bryce Young. He started his fist game at Kansas at the age of 17 n coached by a well known former LSU National championship coach Les Miles. Daniels has the same physical attributes as Bryce Young, and his smarts n arm strength is just as good as Young n Stroud, if not better. I have confident that with Daniels at qb with our current starting offense, contrary to Mayfield’s flaws in critical games, Daniel would take this team to another level. He has a high football IQ, n with his physical n mental attributes, I believe he can lead this team to the promise land. My belief is the aforementioned above is the reason they are holding out on giving Mayfield all the loot.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:28 am
Trade Baker rather than give him up in free agency.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:32 am
Sure the rookie will make mistakes if forced to play in real games – but we all saw the talent and poise this kid has – and he will make more good plays than mistakes….
Daniels gives this team a much better chance to make plays and win games than Browning does. Worthless or not – preseason games have proved that.
Cut Browning and roll with 2 QBs on the 53 man roster….
August 24th, 2026 at 5:32 am
You keep him or somebody else will and then you have that whole regret thing.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:35 am
We get another look at this dilemma as we practice in jacksonville and play our last practice game. Browning played a in a few games, but I think he he was terrible. I’d bet if we tried to sneak Browning onto the practice squad nobody would bother with him.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:45 am
You CANNOT sneak him on the practice squad. use that same strategy with Browning tho. Browning is what he is. Daniels is moldable and can be developed, plus resembles a more modern NFL QB that everyone is obsessed with.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:49 am
Does it really matter to any NFL team who the backup is if the starter goes down? There are probably 10 franchise QBs & 10-12 average QBs. There aren’t even enough good ones for all 32 teams. Keep Danials since he has more potential upside and let Browning walk. Pocket passes left with Brady’s last game!
August 24th, 2026 at 5:56 am
Leopold, I don’t think it’s being obsessed! I think defenses now are able to get to stationary QBs. Unless you’ve got a top 5 offensive line there is no way to keep the pocket from collapsing. If anyone watched Burrow and the Bengals starters, they’ll know what I’m talking about. I think the Bucs improved D line will have him on his butt.
August 24th, 2026 at 5:56 am
If you keep him on the active roster someone else has to go. Why keep on the roster a player who will not, except under bizarre conditions, get in the game. Or maybe, like Joe Theisman, he can be a punt returner/backup QB?
August 24th, 2026 at 6:19 am
PickGrin: “Cut Browning and roll with 2 QBs on the 53 man roster….”
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Im with Pickgrin. If Baker goes down, the Bucs are done, so what difference does it make? That would MAKE the Bucs develop Daniels, who has much more up side. In addition, Im not sure Browning is better than Daniels. Put Browning on the practice squad.
August 24th, 2026 at 6:35 am
Baker plays reckless, gets hurt misses time. Browning loses a few games and JD is the new qb to safe the season. it’s a scenario that could play out so keep him
August 24th, 2026 at 6:36 am
If the team is sold on Daniels’ potential, I’d cut Browning hoping he passes through waivers untouched & then bring him back on the PS to continue the competition for QB2. He’s only a $1.33M deal with $400k guaranteed. Daniels got a $247k guarantee himself.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:00 am
A couple of points:
Define “Baker goes down”. For two games, I would rather play Browning. Not saying he’s great or anything, just experienced enough to hopefully tread water and go .500. Now, Baker out for the year I go with the kid.
What should we do with JD? The only way to truly have an informed opinion is this (no judgement, I’m not doing it). Go through every team in the league and examine their qb room and ask, “Would they cut this guy for JD?”. Then form an opinion after that.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:05 am
Hopefully they keep Daniels and cut Browning. I looked it up only 400k of browning 1.3 million dollar contract is guaranteed. So they can cut him and save money. Plus Daniels is better to be honest.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:09 am
Here’s my take — out with the old, in with the new. Old reliable who inspires absolutely nobody vs. undrafted kid who walks into the huddle and suddenly everybody remembers football is supposed to be fun.
Here’s my Too 10 reasons to go with JD:
1. At some point, “veteran leadership” becomes a polite way of saying, “He knows where all the meeting rooms are.”
2. The rookie wasn’t drafted, but apparently neither was the memo telling him he’s supposed to suck.
3. The veteran commands the huddle like a substitute teacher. The kid walks in and suddenly everybody wants extra credit.
4. Experience is valuable—right up until the experienced guy is teaching everyone how to go three-and-out professionally.
5. One quarterback has 10 years of NFL wisdom. The other has twenty-two guys believing they can run through a brick wall. I’ll take the wall guy.
6. If your veteran quarterback’s greatest attribute is “he won’t make many mistakes,” congratulations—you’ve hired an accountant with shoulder pads.
7. The old guy enters the huddle and everybody checks the play clock. The rookie enters the huddle and everybody checks their pulse.
8. They keep saying Daniels is “unproven.” MF-er, we’ve already proven what Browning can do. That’s the problem.
9. The veteran gives you a safe floor. Yeah—and apparently he intends to spend the entire season lying on it.
10. Football teams don’t follow résumés into battle. They follow the guy who makes them believe they’re about to kick somebody’s ass. Go with the kid with the million dollar smile!
August 24th, 2026 at 7:21 am
Keep him as #2 quarterback or keep for trade bait. Imagine getting a 3rd or 4th round pick for an UDFA!
August 24th, 2026 at 7:24 am
Browning was tentative and held the ball too long at times. Daniels showed more poise and moved the offense more effectively. The way Baker plays, we
can’t have another clipboard holder behind Baker if he gets hurt.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:28 am
He is a very exciting player but
You have to look for the reasons why he was undrafted.
It’s not starting stats
It’s not leadership
It’s not arm strength
It’s not physical size
It’s not foot speed
So what was it ?
From what I’ve seen it’s accuracy and placement
August 24th, 2026 at 7:32 am
SB-LV,
It’s the same reason why 14 professional NFL scouting teams and General Managers passed on Tampa Bain.
Bad, ultimately regrettable judgment.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:36 am
Todd !
That comparison is not even comparable!
August 24th, 2026 at 7:48 am
This is a no brainer. Just like not dropping your 1st Rd OLB stud pass rusher into coverage on 3 of his first four snaps.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:50 am
Frank doesn’t understand what preseason defensive calls are really about…
August 24th, 2026 at 7:51 am
Put him on the roster and develop him. It sure looks like he has potential and Browning is questionable.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:56 am
Daniels is QB1. The only way to get better is to play in an actual game. Daniels looked better than Fields and Baker. He was sharper, and when he stepped on the field the whole team had juice. Give the kid a chance. Spend the $54 mil you’re saving on CBs, OL and LBs.
August 24th, 2026 at 7:56 am
In Jamyth Winston’s case it was decision making
In Daniels case it is erratic ball replacement
I am still intrigued by what JD can POSSIBLY develop into and should remain with the team this year but as the #3 practice squad QB
Jason’s call on how to do that
August 24th, 2026 at 7:59 am
He’s a rookie who likes to run around in the backfield. And he has a history of injuries. Let’s not fall in love too fast.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:08 am
start the season conservatively at the qb position…
and if things go well, stay in present format…
if things start going sideways, you can get loosie goosie…anything goes…
1 – baker
2- browning
3- daniels
let the hierarchy do their job, and figure out how to keep daniels either on the roster, semi injured :0, or stashed properly – where he can’t be stolen away…
let the jugglers f’in juggle………………..ya damn fools in the thread!
August 24th, 2026 at 8:16 am
brownings future here, as of now, looks short lived…
he is getting squeezed, malachie crunched, between baker and daniels…the squeeze is on…
the writing is already on the wall that he won’t be here next season…
you could see it in his face when interviewed in front of the lockers, post game the other night…duke looked slightly uneasy…
i think both qb’s are stressing the thought of daniels in the future…
he’s literally not helpful to qb1 or qb2 at this point…
he will cause browning to be pushed out by next year…
and baker’s long term deal is gonna be re-thunk, if the daniels kid is the real deal…
all of a sudden the qb room has gotten slightly fuzzy…
yes fuzzy…the future and the fuzzzzz…but it’s not a bad thing
August 24th, 2026 at 8:25 am
I think they keep Daniels as the #3. There’s just no way Bowles is going to trust his job to an undrafted rookie with zero experience against NFL starters playing anything other than vanilla defenses.
One of the knocks on Daniels was erratic consistency and his inability to read disguised coverages – something I’m sure Bowles has tested him on in practice (likely those closed to prying eyes). If he ends up at #3, this should tell you something – he’s not ready and the coaches have seen something the fans haven’t.
I’m not saying Browning is a world beater, but experience does matter to Bowles, and his history with Trask proves that he values it.
As for you arm chair GMs wanting to start this kid now – the Bucs are not going to throw away a season voluntarily starting an undrafted rookie just to “see what he can do”. They didn’t do it with 2nd round pick Kyle Trask, and they’re not going to do it now. This is just a fantasy for all the people with some weird hatred of Mayfield that goes far beyond what he does on the field. Daniels *may* move up to #2 next year. But he’s not starting.
As for Trask – Bowles and his staff has been proven right in that assessment. Trask hasn’t done squat since.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:31 am
Is Daniels the long term answer for a franchise QB. Probably not. Is he the answer of we need a QB who can come into the game in the 3rd QTR and win a game or keep the team afloat if he needs to start 2-3 games. Absolutely yes.
What do we do with him? Make him 2nd string QB and eat the $400k we are paying to Browning and release him (assuming we can’t trade him for literally anything).
August 24th, 2026 at 8:38 am
all this talk about his draft status is BS….
jake browning was an UDFA lol…
the thing that is impressive is that Daniels has continued to improve…obviously there are a few things he has to continue to work on but those things are more related to timing….he’d look better throwing to CG14, EE2 and would have more time behind Wirfs and Luke….
Daniels has earned the #2 job based off his play, execution and most importantly Ws
GO BUCS!!!!!!
August 24th, 2026 at 8:42 am
The new rules for IR help the Bucs. You can now add up to two players to IR before the final cutdown and basically keep 55 on your roster. The only thing is those two players cannot practice or be active for at least four weeks. So perhaps a lineman, running back, receiver or safety the Bucs don’t want to lose will end up on IR. My thoughts are Justin Skule and Josh Williams both go on IR before final cutdown with a designation to return.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:43 am
813 🤣🤣🤣🤣
No way after 29 total passes in the 2026 preseason has he earned or learned enough to become a #2 QB in the league
August 24th, 2026 at 8:46 am
^^^
you just voided your whole argument by saying:
“execution and most importantly Ws”
that is wild that you think preseason W’s mean anything dude…wow
August 24th, 2026 at 8:47 am
“At least Browning has started a few games.” – Joe
But he lost all of them!
August 24th, 2026 at 8:47 am
dude has earned the #3 spot……omg………nuff said
August 24th, 2026 at 8:48 am
813 smoking those early morning crillz
August 24th, 2026 at 8:49 am
FYI
Browning was 0-3 in his starts last season with Chase and Higgins as his WRs. He went 60 of 93 on pass attempts for 530 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, including a 1st qtr pick-6 in his first start. He was then benched for an older Joe Flacco after his 3rd consecutive loss.
But the Joes and other fans are nervous about a rookie getting a start. Lol…whew, why do some of yall love loser QBs so much? If he starts, its an automatic loss.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:50 am
Jalen isn’t ready to be a #2 yet, but Browning shouldn’t even be in the NFL. I’d take Danials over Browning in a heartbeat.
But I’m really hoping a cap casualty with become available.
August 24th, 2026 at 8:53 am
A bit of drift
I watched Hurst’s flag and benching for throwing hands.
After a tussle and words with the DB he “firmly “ with his open hand smacked the back of the DB’s helmet.
Justified flag certainly
It wasn’t a losing his cool and going psycho street fight
So .. I am not worried about his character
Lesson learned and best of all it is preseason
Thing is he will be tested and DB’s will be trying to get him to act out again
I’m not worried
August 24th, 2026 at 8:58 am
Return of the (Shaun) King
August 24th, 2026 at 9:03 am
If Baker Mayfield has to play with injuries like last year, the Bucs have to get it right with a backup quarterback
Todd Bowles watched it unfold with devastating results. A wounded Baker is a one way ticket to the unemployment line for Todd Bowles. He has to get it right even if it means keeping 3 quarterbacks on the active roster. It may force tough decisions for Todd Bowles but this happens for many NFL teams. All this is done for parity in the NFL to keep good team
from winning their division every year.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:07 am
Not the same situation, but Russell Wilson was a 3rd round draft pick. The Seahawk had just signed a QB to be the starter. Russ clearly out played every QB in guess what PRESEASON. I said all that to say dont discount preseason play. This is still the NFL. JD looks good when his # was called and all he did was have scoring drives on every attempt! If that is not intriguing, what else does he need to do to at least be QB2? We know what Browning is already, JD has a far higher ceiling.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:13 am
“Browning was 0-3 in his starts last season with Chase and Higgins as his WRs. He went 60 of 93 on pass attempts for 530 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, including a 1st qtr pick-6 in his first start. He was then benched for an older Joe Flacco after his 3rd consecutive loss.”
You forgot to add the Bengals scored a grand total of 13 points in his first 2 games, and 24 in his final start where he threw 3TDs and 3 of those 5 ints. Too much too late and Zac Taylor put’em on the pine.
August 24th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Last season, if I’m not mistaken, the number 3 QB spot was on the practice squad. I don’t think Bowles will make this kid the #2. Cut down is about a week away. We’ll see.
I think this kid has great potential. With a good game plan and real practices, not all walk throughs, he could be the best option to fill in at QB#2 for a couple of games. Of course this won’t happen because of Bowles!!!!! Another issue is his “fragility”. I don’t know about that, but Joe seems to think that is a reality. That could be why he went undrafted. If he took hits the way Browning did on Saturday, that could be a real issue!
August 24th, 2026 at 9:24 am
Browning to practice squad,give the kid the clipboard on the sideline and 1st team reps during the weeks of the season ..He’s earned it. Why not. No riscuit it no biscuit..
He just might save Bowles azz!
August 24th, 2026 at 9:26 am
“Joe guesses that happens when a quarterback is as hurt as Daniels often was. In college, he sure was brittle”…. And you think that will change in the NFL? Running QBs dont last long. Lamar Jackson is,a failed experiment of a fired coach. Can we learn from the,Benjamin fiasco? If a dood cant stay healthy at college then you are,delusional to think he will stay healthy at the,NFL. Dump Daniels you are,wasting your time with brittle guy. Go with Browning who is,a proven bakup to Burrows. Btw Baker owns,Burrows. Opening game win.