Ayden Garnes Easily Forgets
August 17th, 2026
Good memory lapse.
If for whatever reason in a few weeks, Ayden Garnes finds himself looking for work after cutdown day, he will always have New Jersey.
At halftime of the Bucs’ first worthless preseason game in New Jersey on Friday, Garnes had a pick-six. Hey, great move, though Joe tries to put it in perspective.
Garnes picked off the immortal Bailey Zappe, who is a far, far, far cry from the expected Week 1 quarterback the Bucs are expected to face, Joe Burrow.
Garnes’ pick-six came in the first half. At halftime on the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Garnes is really good about forgetting plays, a trait NFL corners must possess if they are to excel.
Again, Garnes sort of proved that this morning. When asked how excited he was for his pick-six in his first action wearing a Bucs game uniform, Garnes basically said that’s history.
“It wore off a little bit yesterday,” Garnes said. “It was still a roller coaster for me just because you always dream of that.
“That’s something in your dreams, getting a pick-six in your first NFL game. Just having that opportunity to go out there and do that was a blessing.”
But it is over, Garnes said. There are practices in front of him and another game coming this weekend.
So what Bowles said he liked about Garnes, his ability to move on after a play, seems to be continuing.
August 17th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
Unlike most Buc DBs — first, he actually CAUGHT THE BALL………second, had the instincts to find the end zone……I don’t care who it was against……second, third or fourth teamers…..
August 17th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Kid looked the part…seems to have good speed for outside CB and played the run well….excited to see him develop
GO BUCS!!!!
August 17th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Everything just must have some negative connotations to it.
Here is an undrafted guy that has been very good all camp and plays a position the Bucs could use help.
So the kid goes out and makes a hell of a play. Not his fault it’s a meaningless game against a backup QB.
You gotta start somewhere and that is one hell of a start.
August 17th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
No, just being real and not automatically thinking the guy is the next Ronde Barber.
August 17th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
He’s a stud. It’s not right to downplay his achievement and he’ll only get better under Bowles’ tutelage.
August 17th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
I don’t care if he gets cut. I will be a proud Ayden Garnes jersey owner. Even if I have to make it custom, feed me.
August 17th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
He’s a chihuahua when come to tackling, always going after the ankles!
August 17th, 2026 at 2:53 pm
Bowles sure does love these guys from Philly
August 17th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Well… there is certainly opportunity for starting positions in the DB room!
The DL & LB improvement should help the DB’s settle in and build an identity of their own.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
The same people that act like we found out next franchise qb in Jalen Daniels, dog on Garnes. Make it make sense. They both played against insurance salesman. If you’re a good player you should make those plays. Whether it be against any teams number 1 or a fourth string. You need to answer the call. If he didn’t make the play though. All of these people would still complain lol.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
Ayden ran a 4.37 at 6’ 181, hopefully he gets some man weight and continues to excel
August 17th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
He looked good in the two practices I went to. I’m guessing he’ll make the team, but putting him out there in a regular season game against starters is a huge step for him. He needs lots NFL snaps – even if preseason against backups.
August 17th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
He was one of the 5 fastest corners in the draft.
He also ranked top 5 in total athleticism as well.
Who cares if he’s a little skinny.
He can gain some weight thé next 2 years.
Grimes was à terrible tackler. So what? He was our best corner for 3 years
August 17th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
That was a sweet play and a much-needed boost for us, even if it was a preseason game.
Good for Ayden not letting it go to his head and recognizing he needs to keep practicing and taking the next steps to get better.
August 17th, 2026 at 9:16 pm
Even with all the asterisks, it was a beautiful play. And it was made against professionals, which makes it better than anything done in college games. True, exhibition games largely feature spear carriers, but among them are also future All-Pros and Hall-of-Famers, depending on the luck of the draw.
August 17th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
You play to win the game. It doesn’t matter what game. Bowles played to win the game and he won it. That was huge to begin the season.
Extend him now.