Jalon Daniels Performance = Critical Front Office Evaluation
September 29th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
After a week in which backup quarterbacks Case Keenum, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota won games as starting quarterbacks — two against excellent football teams — the Bucs’ decisions at backup QB come into major focus.
Baker Mayfield got injured late in Sunday’s sad loss to the Vikings. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels entered for the game’s final drive with no timeouts and understandably couldn’t muster a comeback drive.
Now, Daniels will start Sunday in a must-win game against the Packers.
Why is Daniels the Bucs backup QB? Because the front office decided long ago it didn’t want to invest at the position.
It was a judgment call, and a somewhat strange one considering Mayfield was banged up for more than half of last season, playing through various injuries with a style not rooted in self-preservation.
Joe found the backup QB decision odd because of the Bucs’ expectations of a winning season, and a good postseason run. An undrafted rookie?
On the flip side, Mayfield not missing a game since he arrived in 2023, and the Bucs not starting a backup quarterback since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018, certainly weighed on the Bucs’ decision. Understandably so.
A decision was made to sign veteran QB Jake Browning this offseason. The 30-year-old was a guy the Bucs liked and he came with a bottom-tier salary. Not only did Browning not make the team, he currently has no team. And the Bucs rolled with Daniels.
Joe believes Buccaneers Ring of Honor Jason Licht and Todd Bowles should be judged on how Daniels peforms over the next few games. That’s fair. They approved of Daniels and thought he was a smart call after Browning didn’t cut it.
Daniels is entitled to a learning curve and Joe is not saying he has to dominate — or play like Mariota did beating the Seahawks or Keenum against the Eagles last night. But Daniels better look somewhat competent and promising. That’s not too much to ask.
For those wondering, Mariota is earning about $7 million this season, with Winston around $4 million and Keenum about $3 million.
Ira Kaufman Talks Bucs’ Fall To 0-3, Todd Bowles, Jason Licht, And More
September 29th, 2026 at 10:32 am
Oh, here we go! Everybody loved the fact that this guy was the backup. Everybody was screaming about how great he was going to be. No need to make things up. –Joe
Then Baker gets hurt, and all of a sudden everybody wants to evaluate why they didn’t get a better backup.
Nope. You asked for it. You got it. Toyota.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:34 am
Valid question. Baker is always hurt! Or at least that’s the excuse built in for him.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Never say never. Im not saying Daniels can take us to the promised land but after Brady and Purdy you never know if theres a diamond in the rough.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Daniels will do better than Baker and we beat Green Bay Sunday. You heard it here first.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:43 am
I haven’t really understood our approach to the backup QB situation since Licht got here. All of the guys we have had have basically been bums. You can throw Blaine Gabbert in there too. If we all agree that QB is the most important position on the team, shouldn’t we have a more capable backup QB? Now, with Robinson as the coordinator and Bowles as your head coach, it doesn’t make a difference anyway, but you get my point. Licht needs to do better with the roster.
Go away Todd. I will help you move your stuff out, enough!
September 29th, 2026 at 10:47 am
How much does Little Kyle Trask make , never mind.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:50 am
Baker in Cincinnati set the Bar VERY VERY LOW…..
September 29th, 2026 at 10:53 am
He outplayed the backup that sucked in Cincinnati so I’m all good with trying the younger better Prospect, screw Jake Browning
September 29th, 2026 at 10:54 am
And it’s not like the starting quarterback looked competent so why are we going to hold an undrafted rookie backup quarterback to look competent
September 29th, 2026 at 10:54 am
All Daniels has to do is get the ball out at 2 seconds, regardless whether anyone is open
September 29th, 2026 at 10:55 am
If Daniels comes out and plays well enough to win, and we actually win.
Ownership and the front office are going to look crazy, with our first win coming when the guy they paid to be the “franchise” is on the sideline. The scouting team will look good for a day though, and whomever was the rep that was charged with selling Daniels to sign with us will deserve a week full of taco days.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:01 am
Godwin 10 catches at least guaranteed Sunday!! Some reason Godwin has been ignored. I think there’s some kind of beef with Mayfield and Godwin. Don’t be surprised if he is dealt before Mayfield returns from injury, just a guess. Go Bucs
September 29th, 2026 at 11:05 am
Yes Joe I thought it was odd to not add a veteran like Jimmy G or Flaco , both available. With that said I thought Daniel’s was a better addition than Browning other than he apparently did not cost much. However, now to be honest, I looking forward to seeing this kid play!. He brings a lot of energy and swagger. Baker as has the O line have not been doing well. I have no expectations on playoff play from this young man, but I think a breath of fresh air at this point can’t hurt. I mean let’s face its not like like Baker and the offense have been lighting up the score board. So Daniel’s at this juncture not likely to be a lot worse. He might even be better at least now. He is faster, can make any throw Baker makes and is not afraid to hang in the pocket, something Baker good luck to you with your mom open the door open the door for you see you later
has not been doing as of late. Who knows maybe the O Line will block better knowing the kid needs all the help he can get. Yes many pluses when you consider besides the team is 0-3, the bottom of the barrel right now. The team needs change quickly because many of the current players sadly just are not performing.
So let’s get behind Daniels and see what happens. Actually we don’t have a choice. I know as a season ticket holder I am looking forward to the change.
!!!. I would not mind a few more to be honest!!
September 29th, 2026 at 11:06 am
End of 2024 it was clear to see!
September 29th, 2026 at 11:09 am
About to probably go 0-6, or at best, 1-5. But don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll win all 11 games after that. Lol! Either way, it should be one fun sh!t show to watch for the foreseeable future, making this team the butt of every single one of my jokes. I don’t even think I’m mad anymore, just in that kind of shock where can only laugh like a madman, like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation. I truly am in shock at how bad this team is all the way around.
Now we will be starting a QB with no experience, so it should get pretty interesting with this horrible offense. I really wanna see Daniels succeed, but I feel like these next 3 weeks will be even more embarrassing then the last 3 weeks, leading to complete blowouts.
Now if by some miracle of God, Daniels goes 3-0, especially playing Dallas on primetime, I would say he deserves to be the starter, even if Baker is healthy.
But that’s wishful thinking. This team is one of those teams that I just like to sit and make fun of now. This is the new Cleveland Browns of the league. Just sit there and watch, laughing and pointing, making jokes about how bad they stink. At least, that provides me with entertainment. 0-6 start incoming more than likely, and nothing or no one will save this season. It’s already been destroyed at this point, so just laugh about how bad they are and you won’t mad at least.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:10 am
What can be worse than baker?
September 29th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Case Keenum, man he looked good. Jalon reminds me of a slower Mike Vick. They must have high hopes for Jalon considering Baker is prone to getting hurt. The bar for the offense is so low. I think people will be surprised this week with his play. I would hope the O-line plays with more urgency to help the rookie. I can hope..”fingers crossed.”
September 29th, 2026 at 11:13 am
I will watch Sunday. If it were Browning, maybe not.
The defense will have to lead the way. I am fine with that. It is how it should be, in Tampa.
Walker should be in there on every third and long. He creates chaos.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Thanks Joe, they picked him to be the backup, and so the real goes with that decision. As staff, they are responsible for the choice
September 29th, 2026 at 11:17 am
the front office should be constantly evaluating the roster and coaches…that the problem…no sense of urgency from top to bottom
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 29th, 2026 at 11:22 am
This is going to RUIN that kid. No faith the OL will protect him or be able to run the football with any consistency. No faith in a game plan conducive in supporting Daniels. No faith that JL made the right roster decision. Certainly no faith in Todd Bowles. I don’t see this ending well at all. And we have to go on the road to Dallas in a short week next week? Then face the Steelers D the following? And this week we get a desperate GB team with a much better QB than Kyler Murray.
Like I said, I hope this doesn’t ruin Daniels. This is NOT fair to him. He ain’t ready like Mendoza wasn’t ready.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Jalon Daniels had the 9th ranked combination score of all QB’s at the combine. Someone mentioned Jalon looks like a slower version of Michael Vick? That could be said of ANY QB as Vick ran the fastest QB 40 in history at 4.33.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Bottom line Chicago is a very well coached team
September 29th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Only slight advantage is there’s no real game-film on him, only preseason junk……how will he handle pressure??? He won’t have home field advantage either as the Cheese-Heads will pack Ray-Jay on SUnday.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:33 am
I’m a baker fan but man he’s bin playing worse than Winston. I’m hoping joes favorite word lol but I’m hoping Jaylon jump starts this offense. Someone’s got to get this off out of the rut it’s in. I just want to see the O come alive. Looks like they bin sleeping since the season started.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:34 am
Great strategy. Make an undrafted free agent, with plenty of potential, lots of skill, but not much experience, your backup QB. Now we’re down 0-3, on the skids, and expecting this young man to pull us up.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:39 am
If JD10 does play at a high level, then this post is completely irrelevant lol.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:44 am
I dont think we will score a touchdown this week.We may kick a FG if we get a turnover .
September 29th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Would be wild if daniels plays really well and wins some games – then baker comes back healthy and we have a qb controversy similar to when we had Fitz and Jameis – really hoping daniels can just be solid – we very well could be 2-1 with just solid average qb play
September 29th, 2026 at 11:50 am
SOOOOOO…. who exactly is backing up Daniels now ????
September 29th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Give the kid a chance. Can he do any worse than BM6 thru the first 3 games? I don’t think so. It would be entertaining if the O line could step up and protect the kid!! Throw in a run game and perhaps a miracle or two could happen. Of course it goes without saying that the D needs to build on their last game performance and dominate too!!!
September 29th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Mayfields out cosmo! Watch what you wish for! Oh yeah with your boy Bowles defense playing the way they are,he’s gotta chance ! Hahahahahhah! You sniveling little brat!
September 29th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Coaching is my concern. I don’t have faith in Robinson to scheme things to help Daniels or coach Daniels to play well. I hope Daniels plays well and stays healthy.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Why am I being moderated?
September 29th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
This might actually help >>>ZR to plan for the type of QB he has instead of thinking his QB can do every throw. 2-17 on 3rd downs can only get better.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
This team is 0 and 3 with the starter who cares who the backup is no one is coming to save the bucs.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Jalon Daniels will be way better than Baker has been this year. You’ll see.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
These negative comments are typical for this site. Our “fans” have a short memory and forget about Baker’s 2023 and 2024 seasons and his impressive stats over the past three years. And let’s face it, even though Baker played poorly over the last three games, he still made throws to Hurst (dropped TD) and Godwin (TD called back because of penalty) which could have won those games. That said, I truly wish our young QB luck because you guys will eat him alive if he fails.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Licht’s roster blunders have been showcased for many years now. He was only saved when Brady took over the roster. Glazers (how I wish they would sell the franchise!) need to clean house after this long-suffering season. The fans don’t deserve this sh%tshow! Incompetency, apathy and arrogance on full display.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Joe gives up. Why are you moderated? No one told Joe you were.
Maybe “they” (Chucky LaMar) have something against you. Have you checked the skies above your house lately? 🙂
September 29th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
To be fair, Winston, Mariota and Keenum have all been in the NFL a long time, playing in different Offensive Systems and seeing about every Defensive Scheme possible. They have lots of experience in the NFL, Jalon does not. He will learn though. Tampa should’ve kept a 3rd QB with more experience at least to be there to help Jalon grow as a player. He has talent, he just needs time, reps and refinement. Does Tampa have Time for that? No, but they don’t have a choice either. One last thing, Mariota has actually gotten better as time has gone on though that has taken a lot of time but he has aged well as a player.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Name a single QB this team has ever evaluated that has been worth a sh*t? We’re as good at evaluating QB’s as we are at evaluating DE’s and RB’s.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Unless the glazers signed off on all these mistakes licht can kick rocks along with Bowles
September 29th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
I really hope they don’t hang this kid out to dry. Like they need to have a solid game plan going into this game. A lot of shorter passes and run heavy approach. The packers can’t stop the run to begin with. I expect a lot of Bucky in this game and I really hope they play Sean Tucker that guy is better than Gainwell who has pretty much done nothing here.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Gainwell should change his name to Gainpoorly.
He sucks since he’s been here.
Jalon Daniels could definitely benefit from a good running game, but I think he will do what has to do to win. And I think he’s our best QB right now. Baker sucks since the Bye Week of last year.
September 29th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
This year is a wrap let’s see if he will look good with the one’s.
Brady not coming out of retirement so f it… Honestly I see talent in his abilities but I have low belief in zac Robinson. He didn’t get his o line ready this year for his game plan and his schemes are honestly vanilla.
He will cross players into the same area a lot were zone safety’s can sit down and hawk.
He thinks handing off to wr which is a college play is a good idea.
Idk we look as bad as a team can and for me baker looks always dejected and confused with every defense.
The kid just need 2 hot reads and check the safety moments..
Not there drop it the back or te..or toss it out of bounds..coach him to take the easy play.. allow the defense to take the pressure of the game and get the best kicker in the NFL close enough to keep points coming in.
A few runs for first downs by him and bucky..few Godwin passes and couple touchdowns from him to eubuka and hurst.
Greenbay has no tape on him other than Preseason… Zac started a rookie in penix
September 29th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
Why is Daniels the Bucs backup QB? Because the front office decided long ago it didn’t want to invest at the position.
———
I strongly disagree with that.
Browning was considered a pretty good backup – and lost the position battle in preseason. I don’t think for a second the Bucs had any intention of going with an UDFA, but Daniels won the job – they didn’t hand it to him.
September 29th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Browning would get killed behind this O line. Give Daniels one read, if it’s not there, run. Don’t run into trouble, run out of it, then get down. Now good luck kid, go get em!!
September 29th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
I know there were a lot of people like me who had the feeling something like this was going to happen. I hope this kid comes out and plays his tail off. But, when the Bucs made the decision to go with an undrafted rookie at backup QB, you were hoping this doesn’t come back and bite us. Well hopefully after Sunday we aren’t all saying, make stupid decisions win stupid prizes. There were definitely experienced QB’s out there we could have gotten fairly cheap as a backup but for some reason chose not to. This kid could turn out to be a good QB, or he will get destroyed the next three weeks and completely loses his confidence and will never be the player we hope he could be.
September 29th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
The only rookie UDFA QB who’s won a start in the last 6 years is Max Brosmer for the Vikings in 2025.
He was 9-16 for 51 yards with 7 sacks. The Vikings finished with 3 net passing yards and somehow won the game.
That’s the standard for Jalon Daniels to live up to. Anything more than that is gravy. Excited yet?
September 29th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
PS – the Vikings forced 6 turnovers and committed zero in that 23-10 win over the Lions.
September 29th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
This is exactly what the Bucs need. Something new, something different. A younger, hungrier player at QB. He’s playing with house money. If he goes 2-1 in 3 games and plays well then serious questions need to be asked about who should start when Baker gets healthy.
The team has very little energy. Trotter brings the juice. So does Jalon. Younger players. When he came on the field during pre-season, the offense had a different feel to it. I want to see if he can hit those out routes and go through progressions. I want to see what these WRs look like with a different QB. I expect to see more deep shots.
For the first time in a long time the offense is actually unpredictable.
September 29th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Who backs up Daniel’s? Who is the emergency QB?
September 29th, 2026 at 2:41 pm
I love how angry the Baker Boi(s) are, they want Teddy Bridgewater back since they knew he was a non-talent garbage QB and Baker’s job was safe so long as he was around.
Don’t worry Baker Boi(s), it doesn’t matter if Daniels is good or not, the owners made Baker unbenchable with that awful contract extension. No need to root against Daniels and the Bucs, Baker will be handed his job back no matter how terrible he plays.
September 29th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
To the delusionals here that say Daniels might be a “diamond in the rough” like Brady and Purdy; Brady and Purdy were actually drafted.
In a QB starved league, not one team, the Bucs included, thought Daniels even worthy of a throwaway 7th Round pick. That’s because he has MAJOR flaws in his game (which showed when he played TERRIBLE in the last preseason game against some Jags starters. Forget about that already?).
Every DC in the league already knows about his flaws and will exploit them mercilessly. Get a hold of yourselves. He’s NOT an NFL-caliber QB. Period.
September 29th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
I don’t think there’s a need to call any more games on the schedule ‘’must-win”. That part of the year is over. At this point I think for us fans it’s: 1) what do we have in Daniel’s, 2) how many additional draft picks can be secured by trading off some of these vets, 4) monitoring how other teams offensive coordinators are doing, especially the play callers 5) seeing what pick we end up with and 6) watching how trotter, Bain and hurst develop.
If they want to toss a little red meat to the customers, canning Todd early would be a nice holiday present.
September 29th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Kurt Warner-Undrafted
Warren Moon-Undrafted
Tony Romo-Undrafted
Jeff Garcia-Undrafted
Dave Krieg-Undrafted
Two of the above are HOF’ers. One thing they still cannot measure at the Combine-How bad you want it.
September 29th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
Bucs win Sunday and 2 out of the other 3 NFC South teams lose and we are in 2nd place in the Division and only one game out. Our fortunes will be determined by our Division record.
September 29th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Thank you Kayla… And to add what you said, it’s not like the rookie is walking into a huddle with a great OL and ground attack and a well thought out offensive game plan. We are the worst coached team in the NFL and somehow people think Daniels will be the savior. PLEASE. It wont be pretty Sunday and will be 10 times worse next Thursday night. 0-5 is coming people. EMBRACE THE SUCK!
September 29th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
Bucs win Sunday-Guaranteed-Mark the Tape
September 29th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
Dude was at Kansas for 6 years and couldn’t get drafted. He looked ok vs 3rd teamers. With out OL I don’t see a very good outcome short or long term. The next coaching staff will have to go with 3QB like the Bears did last night
September 29th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
PANIC PANIC PANIC, Tom Brady wouldn’t suit up behind that line so it doesn’t matter, once again who’s back there freaking Joe money would walk out. If the line will pull there best buddies penus out of their but we’d be fine with Daniels. You keep people and then you show them your doubt, you just broke any confidence he had in you 💯 god I hate Jason licht you are a worm brother and I want you out. Come On People you know this is true.
September 29th, 2026 at 5:43 pm
You guys just don’t want JD10, to succeed! Just come out and say it and You all know the reason why???? Come on just be man enough to say it???? Come on, say it!!!!
September 29th, 2026 at 6:23 pm
This season is just getting more comical as it moves along. I mean at least with Daniels we don’t really know what’s going to happen but man the way this offensive line has played idk man, I don’t think this game is going to look good at all
September 29th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
Listen, I want an absolute God-tier gunslinger running the show in Tampa for the next decade. IDGAF if it’s Baker Mayfield, Drew Mestemaker, Jalon Daniels, or the candlestick maker—I am utterly starved for long-term dominance!
Everybody I know expected me to do backflips when Tom Brady hoisted the Lombardi in a Bucs uniform, but honestly? **It was a complete snoozefest. Meh at absolute best.** It gave me zero emotional payoff. Watching him collect rings in New England got old, and watching him do it here was like renting a luxury car for a weekend—fun, but it’s not “yours”. He was a shiny hired gun, a mercenary completing a contract mission. Same nauseating vibe with Mahomes right now—I am *exhausted* watching the same guys hog the spotlight.
Give me our OWN homegrown superstar! I wanted Jameis Winston to be That Guy and carry the torch. I’m still mourning the day John Lynch and Warren Sapp walked out the door and laid people out in the Tampa 2.
Yeah, I’m drowning in nostalgia, but call me crazy: I don’t just want a cute little playoff run. I want Tampa Bay to build a reign of terror. I want us to be the most hated, ruthless powerhouse in NFL history—an unstoppable dynasty that leaves the entire league weeping into their jerseys because **THEY HATE US ‘CAUSE THEY AIN’T US!** Raise the flags! 🏴☠️🏈🏴☠️” GO BUCS!!!
September 29th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
Daniels goes in, in what amounts to a 2 minute drill.
Stressful, but a QBs job
0-3. One sack. One interception.
Hardly an honest representation of his abilities.
But thats what he did.
O-3, and an interception
It’s reason for concern
September 29th, 2026 at 7:31 pm
Todd Says:
September 29th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Kurt Warner-Undrafted
Warren Moon-Undrafted
Tony Romo-Undrafted
Jeff Garcia-Undrafted
Dave Krieg-Undrafted
———–
I like the enthusiasm, but…
Warner was 28 when he started his first game, and had years experience in the Arena Football League, which does account for something. He was also part of a cheating piece of garbage team that cheated the Bucs out of a SB. So screw that block head and his Mrs Papadapolis looking wife of his.
Moon was also 28 when he got his first start, and that was after 5-years of playing in the CFL.
Romo was 26, and was the backup for nearly 2 1/2 years before his first start.
Garcia was 29, played in the CFL for 5 years, then went a Baker like 2-8 his first year starting.
And Dave Krieg… come on, are we going back to the 1800s here?
Anywho, I hope you’re right – but generally when UDFA QBs have to start early, they rarely look good. But Daniels does have quite a bit of college experience, good mobility and a good arm, and most importantly a very very low bar to overcome after having watched Baker go 2-10 over his last 12 games.
September 29th, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Rod Munch Says:
September 29th, 2026 at 2:41 pm
I love how angry the Baker Boi(s) are, they want Teddy Bridgewater back since they knew he was a non-talent garbage QB and Baker’s job was safe so long as he was around.
Don’t worry Baker Boi(s), it doesn’t matter if Daniels is good or not, the owners made Baker unbenchable with that awful contract extension. No need to root against Daniels and the Bucs, Baker will be handed his job back no matter how terrible he plays.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Who’s angry Rod? We wish Mayfield didn’t get hurt, but that’s life in football.
Jalon has a relatively rare opportunity here. What are the odds of an UDFA starting in his rookie year?
I hope that he lights it up for a Bucs victory. That would be amazing.
And if he did that, and kept repeating it, I would hope that he remains QB1 for as long as he wins! Let Baker take some notes.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:00 pm
Honesty, after seeing the quality of Baker’s play, I am looking forward to seeing the rookie play. How much worse can it be. And, I like Baker. But, he hasn’t backed up his demands to get paid.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:31 pm
BUTTMUNCH has posters of Baker in his room. Won’t admit it. If he saw Baker out somewhere he would get giddy and piss down his leg begging for an autograph
September 30th, 2026 at 5:55 am
A crimes been committed here in Tampa. We paid a con artist to play QB, and let him continue taking advantage of this organization. We have a HC who is merely lining his pants pockets collecting $$$$$$$$. We then wonder why our team is lax and showing no effort. Boweles can’t coach. Simple there is no righting the ship with this man, and anyone who continues to think this is just as delusional as he is. I’m. Fan that is so discouraged from this organization that it’s making me sick to watch.
September 30th, 2026 at 6:54 am
Garrapolo still available.
September 30th, 2026 at 9:53 am
So the take for some of you is for Daniel’s to run and use his legs if the pocket breaks down!? Sort of like Baker has been doing when under duress and getting creamed for by the same fans?? Got it