Jalon Daniels Talks To Joe About Snaps From Center And Huddle Delays
September 12th, 2026
Jalon Daniels gives feedback on Chucky’s analysis.
The Bucs may have something in Jalon Daniels.
The undrafted free agent quarterback signed in April made the 53-man roster and is now Baker Mayfield’s backup. Pretty big move up the food chain for Daniels.
One of Daniels’ biggest fans is Chucky, the Bucs’ former Super Bowl-winning coach. When Chucky served as a game analyst during the Chiefs-Bucs preseason broadcast, he raved about Daniels. On and on.
However, you just know Chucky will find a flaw. He found two in Daniels’ game, both of which can be overcome with experience and work.
The first was an observation that Daniels occasionally is late coming out of the huddle. Chucky said that’s common for young quarterbacks still learning a new offense’s verbiage.
The second nitpick is Daniels was sometimes struggling with the snap. Chucky said that’s because Daniels was strictly a shotgun quarterback at Kansas and taking snaps from center is still a bit foreign to him.
Joe spoke with Daniels about Chucky’s observations in the Bucs’ locker room. Daniels said he’d have to see specifically what plays Chucky referred to, but he didn’t think Chucky was wrong.
“It depends on the play and it depends on the time,” Daniels said of coming out of the huddle late. “Sometimes my coach is telling me (through the headset) to get out of the huddle a little bit later than we need to [in order to kill time].
“It could be at times me trying to get the verbiage of the play call out. I guess it depends on the time of the play. … I’m not sure which plays he was talking about but it could have been when I was trying to get the verbiage of the play out. It just depends.”
Daniels admitted learning an NFL playbook and then spitting out plays has at times been a bumpy road.
“I think I have definitely gotten better at that,” Daniels said.
As for the snaps, Daniels said, yeah, he rarely took snaps from center at Kansas. Whether a bad snap is his fault or not, Daniels said it is his responsibility to make sure those less-than-smooth snaps never happen.
“I wouldn’t say I am still getting comfortable being under center,” Daniels said. “I think I’ve done a pretty good job of being acclimated to that.”
Daniels said he has been practicing since his college season ended on taking snaps from center, knowing “we barely did that at Kansas” but that would be expected of him in the NFL.
“That’s another thing that kind of depends on the play,” Daniels said. “It could be communication on my part. Get guys the right cadence and sometimes it may be me not getting the ball.
“I will always say it’s my fault. No matter what the result of the play is. If it is bad, I am supposed to be the eraser of anything that goes bad in the game.”
Again, these things get smoothed out with time and reps. Joe’s not worried.
Joe does know the Bucs are really excited for Daniels and they believe he has a high ceiling.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:29 am
Watch a Baker type Quarterback play at noon today
John Mateer Oklahoma.
I’d love to see the Bucs draft him next spring
September 12th, 2026 at 8:30 am
As long as Chucky loves him. lol
September 12th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Joe you’re spitting out these post’s at record speed. I’m guessing we will have a serious lull this afternoon as you crack a cold beer (or three) and sit back for some meaningful college football?
September 12th, 2026 at 8:42 am
As much upside this young kid might have , its malpractice for Licht to have him who never played ONE snap in the NFL, to be the backup QB in a season where u expect to make the playoffs! Better hope Baker pulls another Ironman season out of his butt and doesn’t miss a game!
September 12th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Daniel’s can’t be worse than last year’s back up quarterbacks. If the Bucs are high on him it’s for a good reason- he’s keeps getting better. Hopefully Baker doesn’t get too banged up, but if he does Daniel’s will keep the Bucs in the game and allow the defense to close the game.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Daniel’s is very articulate for sure. I don’t think the mental parts of the game will not be a problem for him.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:05 am
I should be so articulate! lol.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:44 am
If Daniels is coachable and committed to getting better every day, he’ll be capable of being a starting QB in the NFL one day. He’s got a rocket arm and can run for 1st downs when the play breaks down. He’s under contract for 3 years for an average of about $1,000,000/season. He’s got a great QB coach, at least for this season, in Chandler Whitmer. If the Bucs get a huge lead in any of their games, I’d love to see Daniels relieve Baker in the 4th quarter to get some live game reps with the starters.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:51 am
These comments are a little concerning if Jalon Daniels is needed on the field sooner rather than later. I hope that Baker stays injury free and that Daniel has all the time that he needs to develop into a solid QB.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:51 am
I have more confidence in Jalon Daniels then Browning or Bazelak, he advances the ball and avoids the sack and will get better with experience and practice. Lotsa upside here. Not so much with the other two.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:57 am
I think Bakers 3years were helped by the fact Daniels COULD become a viable QB with some back seat experience. If Daniels can develop into a solid starter the Bucs struck gold. Time enough to develop your QB AND saving premium draft picks for the supporting cast. Gotta root for the guy. having JUST Baker for 3 years is risky. Having Baker AND a solid UDFA backup/replacement sets up a 2-5 year QB map at below QB’s usual cost. All about the performance now.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:59 am
Stick also on the PS has some NFL experience and with Robinson.
September 12th, 2026 at 10:25 am
Joe I like articles like this where we here the player is developing and accountability is taken….
I have a suggestion take it or leave it but on a Saturday the day before the game I suggest a few articles about the enemy. Like what offense they run..whose their weapons.. weakness to attack.. who their coaches are and how are coaches match up. Just breaking down the other team to get us knowledgeable about the oopenet.
September 12th, 2026 at 11:48 am
Very – very well stated BucFanSince1996! Spot on me thinks!
September 12th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Daniels has a chance to be as good as Purdy.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Thank God is 4 years to learn behind Baker.
Thank God he has 4 years to take 10,000 snaps under center.
Thank God he’s a young Buccaneer.
He looked like an elite quarterback.
I am very excited about his potential.
He’s got 4 years to evolve.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Bucsfan… sounds like you can change the name Daniels to Mayfield in your post ,other then the pay!!
September 12th, 2026 at 1:50 pm
Does gruden ever say anything critical of the organization?
September 12th, 2026 at 1:58 pm
Lt. Dan Says:
Very – very well stated BucFanSince1996! Spot on me thinks!
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Hopefully spot on. 😉 Time will tell. Hopefully, he’s not called on to play before he’s ready. My gut feeling, though, is that Licht should be charged with Grand Theft for signing Daniels as an UDFA. It’s a steal IMO. But until we see him play in some real games with the starters and against the opposing team’s starters, we won’t know for sure what we have.
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September 12th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Teach said it!
September 12th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
The organization or the players? If you mean players, re-read this story.
September 12th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
Not ready for prime time. Train as a slot receiver and 3rd string QB. Sign best available veteran QB.
September 13th, 2026 at 11:38 am
The article says it all…still trying to learn the playbook and is not really comfortable taking snaps under center. Learning an NFL playbook is not just about where the X’s and O’s go, but also understanding the intent of the play…i.e. what is offense trying to get out of a play..Sometimes a play is well defended and it goes nowhere..a QB has to be smart enough to throw it away and try again..As for taking snaps under center, that is a necessary skill or otherwise the offense becomes one dimensional..A lot of work is necessary before the coaching staff can put this young man on the field to run a NFL offense. Easton start getting ready if Mayfield is injured severely..