Jake Browning Opening Some Eyes
July 30th, 2026
Bucs aren’t running for a backup QB.
There’s nothing like backup quarterback chatter to get folks worked up.
Yesterday at Bucs camp, Tez Johnson absolutely put on a show. Everyone was enamoured with how Johnson was lighting up the Bucs’ second-team defense.
It was fun to watch. And after Tez caught a bomb to the delight of the full house of Bucs fans, Tez did a backflip, which everyone enjoyed.
But along the way it seems everyone forgot who was throwing Tez the ball. And Ted Hurst. And Kameron Johnson.
That would be backup quarterback Jake Browning.
It is still underwear football and only two practices into training camp. It is a crazy small sample size made smaller when you factor in the pads haven’t come on yet. That happens next week.
Joe went to every underwear football practice this spring open to the media. Browning wasn’t that impressive. He was meh. Maybe better than Kyle Trask, but that isn’t saying a whole lot. (Trask worked out for his former Bucs coordinator Dave Canales this week but he has yet to be signed. Not good if you are unemployed in July.)
Watching Browning in the first two days of training camp, Browning almost looks like a different player.
He could be an up-and-down guy like Trask (who would have two or three bad practices and then have a very good practice only to be followed by two or three bad practices — Trask could never get on a roll).
At least Bucs coach Todd Bowles likes what he sees with Browning.
“He’s experienced,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. “He’s very good at knowing where to go with the football and learning a new scheme.
“He understands it quicker than the other two guys right now, so I’m very happy with what I’m seeing right now.”
The interesting thing to Joe about Browning this week — and maybe it is related to how well he’s picking up the new offense and playbook — is that he’s throwing the long ball. Baker Mayfield isn’t, or at least very little (so far).
Joe doesn’t know why that is, but it is. And today’s bomb to Tez was an example.
Joe swears he saw Browning throw the ball on the fly 55 yards to Tez and that touchdown may have been 60. The ball was at midfield and Browning took steps back before launching it.
Though it is very early and premature to make sweeping conclusions, Browning is having a week Joe hasn’t seen from a Bucs backup since Blaine Gabbert was backing up Tom Brady.
July 30th, 2026 at 8:02 pm
It seems Baker isn’t comfortable in the offense at the moment, however, the long ball isn’t his strength.
July 30th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Maybe that’s why they are not extending Baker. The future QB is already on the roster lol
July 30th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Watched him play a game for Cincinnati and he looked good throwing to Higgins and Chase.
Definitely an upgrade at QB2 assuming he secures that spot
July 30th, 2026 at 8:52 pm
If Browning can compete with and/or adequately sub for Mayfield, the Bucs are going to have a +very+ good season.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:13 pm
Lmao.
Yeah, If I was the Bucs- I’d be trying to sell that nonsense too!
They are going to try and convince dumb fans- that when Baker leaves, they should still buy tickets
Riiiiiiiight
July 30th, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Browning $ucks. He kight look okay right now, but Trask did in early training camps too.
July 30th, 2026 at 9:25 pm
Simple T Says:
July 30th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
“Watched him play a game for Cincinnati and he looked good throwing to Higgins and Chase.”
Oh yeah?
Did he win that game? (No)
July 30th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
c’mon mane, lol
July 30th, 2026 at 9:56 pm
Jake Browning has a name fit for the lead singer of a Bob Marley & The Wailers cover band.
July 30th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
He’s experienced…at being a lousy starting QB. Let’s not overthink this.
July 30th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
no
July 30th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
The strengths of this football team this year is gonna be our OLine and DLine. And our incredible mix of playmakers. And a solid kicking game.
The toughest thing that can happen to a football team is losing their starting quarterback, especially if the backup isn’t good enough to cover. We saw that with our depth last year. First teamers are better than second teamers, second teamers are better than third teamers. Always have been.
But we spent a chunk this year on a QB coach, a passing game coordinator, and, of course, an O-coordinator. All were college QBs and 2 were NFL QBs.
If these guys are worth a dime, with the strengths of this team, these coaches should have a backup good enough to win this division if we’re otherwise healthy. And I ain’t whistling Dixie.
July 30th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
I’ve been a Baker fan since his Oklahoma days but, for me, that means pulling for him to excel and lift up the team. I don’t want him to be QB1 just because the competition sucks.
July 30th, 2026 at 11:20 pm
Browning spent yrs in CIN behind Burrow…I can confirm there was a ton to “go deep” in CIN camps / practices….It’s likely a mental carry-over to go for the big play from his Bengals experience that he brought with him to TB.
July 31st, 2026 at 2:49 am
I’ll gladly eat my words if Jake Browning proves me wrong, because if Bake goes down, we all want our Bucs to keep winning. But let’s not crown him after two non-padded practices. In Cincinnati, the Bengals were 12th in scoring with one of the league’s best supporting casts, yet Browning finished 4-6 as a starter with 6 TDs, 8 INTs, and a 35.2 QBR. No Bueno..
That’s not exactly “sleep easy” backup production. The deep balls in camp are encouraging, but training camp highlights and regular-season defenses are two different worlds. Hopefully Bowles is right, and Browning continues trending upward, because if No. 6 misses time, we’re all going to be counting on him.
Now, if a better insurance policy becomes available after cutdowns, Jason Licht owes it to the team to at least make the call. Dare I say Tyler “Snoop” Huntley’s 82.3% career passer rating, extends plays with his legs perhaps as QB2 intrigue anyone?
Just a thought..
🔥 LFG!
July 31st, 2026 at 4:01 am
I’ll gladly eat my words if Jake Browning proves me wrong, because if Bake goes down, we all want our Bucs to keep winning. But let’s not crown him after two non-padded practices. In Cincinnati, the Bengals were 12th in scoring with one of the league’s best supporting casts, yet Browning finished 4-6 as a starter with 6 TDs, 8 INTs, and a 35.2 QBR. No Bueno..
That’s not exactly “sleep easy” backup production. The deep balls in camp are encouraging, but training camp highlights and regular-season defenses are two different worlds. Hopefully Bowles is right, and Browning continues trending upward, because if No. 6 misses time, we’re all going to be counting on him.
Now, if a better insurance policy becomes available after cutdowns, Jason Licht owes it to the team to at least make the call. Dare I say Tyler “Snoop” Huntley’s 82.3% career passer rating/ extends plays with his legs perhaps as QB2 intrigue anyone?
Just a thought..
🔥 LFG!
July 31st, 2026 at 7:35 am
The Buccaneers have not had a solid back up quarterback for a while now. They need one that can do one thing..that is to run the offense..Let the playmakers make the plays..Browning has a real chance to advance his career with this team in that simple role.. Good luck Jake..
July 31st, 2026 at 8:23 am
There was a reason Cincy traded for Joe Flacco and then immediately sat Browning. Let’s not blow too much smoke here. IJS.
July 31st, 2026 at 8:51 am
Way too many Saints fans in here today…
Go Jake!
Go Bucs!
July 31st, 2026 at 5:04 pm
2 underwear practices. No contact. And he’s opening eyes?
Wow, Joe. That’s really trying to sell the company line! Hard!
We had our eyes open when Browning played in real games.
Better than Bridgewater? Hard to be worse.
Bridgewater clearly wanted a check- not field time.
But trying to sell us that Browning is a backup plan for the Mayfield fiasco?
Dude- That’s a bridge too far.
July 31st, 2026 at 5:08 pm
Guess you didn’t see Browning throwing in OTAs?