Jalon Daniels Has A Friend In Chucky
August 25th, 2026
Bucs’ Super Bowl-winning coach weighs in.
There’s no doubt about it: Chucky has always liked quarterbacks — until they played for him.
The first Bucs’ coach to bring home the Vince Lombardi Trophy, Chucky was in the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast booth Saturday night with a front-row seat to backup quarterback Jalon Daniels working magic again late in a worthless preseason game. Daniels battled the Chiefs’ X-Ray technicians and bartenders.
Chucky the Bucs Fan loved how Daniels added juice to the Bucs offense and got production. But Chucky the Coach, during the game broadcast, threw some cold water on fans, pointing out that Daniels is still learning the playbook, an NFL offense and is green as grass.
Yesterday, Chucky appeared on WDAE-AM 620/WDAE-FM 95.7 to talk Bucs with Tom Krasniqi. There, Krasniqi asked Chucky if Daniels should make the team’s 53-man roster cut on Sunday.
Chucky says, no doubt he should. Still, Chucky said, Daniels has a lot of work ahead of him.
“Well, I don’t know what Todd Bowles is thinking,” Chucky said. “I’m not going to speak for him, let me make myself perfectly clear.
“But I know, as a head coach, you’re going to keep the guys that perform the best. And when you look at performance, if that’s your criteria, especially at the quarterback position, it hasn’t been close.
“This kid just in the game. I see him audible in at the line of scrimmage. Granted, he had a couple false starts that I always put on the quarterback, in the New York game. I also saw a couple of fumbled exchanges that are a problem. I put that on him in the Kansas City game.
“But if you’re basing everything on performance, I think this kid has has won the job provided he closes it out in Jacksonville with another solid performance.”
Joe already notices fans on social media lobbying Daniels to be the immediate backup to Baker Mayfield. That’s premature in Joe’s eyes.
No, Jake Browning did not look good Saturday. But if he is (God forbid) to play for Mayfield, it’s a very good bet Browning won’t have five turnstiles in front of him like he did Saturday.
Browning absolutely got beat to hell. He never even had a chance to set up properly.
Something Chucky didn’t mention in his interview with Krasniqi but did mention during the broadcast Saturday night: Chucky noticed more than once how Daniels was late getting out of the huddle. Chucky said that is usually when a guy is struggling with the playbook. In other words, he doesn’t have it down yet.
Minutes later while interviewing Mayfield live during the game, Chucky asked Mayfield about Daniels. Mayfield said Daniels’ biggest obstacle will be learning the playbook, which is tough for a rookie. That’s basically what Chucky had identified a few moments earlier.
So Daniels is really raw. Joe just doesn’t think Todd Bowles would trust Daniels with the keys to the car. Yet. Hell, Bowles didn’t trust Kyle Trask and Trask was a veteran.
Does Joe like Daniels’ rizz and talent and production? Oh, yes. But being the No. 2 quarterback with the Bucs trying to return to the playoffs? As the great voice of Chicago sports radio, Mike North would say, “Slow down.”
Was able to jump on the 10 Tampa Bay News app to talk about the rise of Jalon Daniels.
I am skeptical Daniels would slip through waivers meaning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must find a spot on the 53-man roster for him.
Having said that, I think he is still QB3.
More here⤵️ pic.twitter.com/IE5qyapyL6
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) August 25, 2026
August 25th, 2026 at 5:28 am
If any of you watched college football you would know the truth about this kid. He is wildly inconsistent on his throws and his reads. His ceiling is probably a number 3 Qb in the NFL. Maybe you have a wildcat play with him as a wrinkle but we are spending way too much time worried about a number 3 Qb.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:48 am
Isn’t that the problem with Browning Joe? He needs five guys in front of him. He needs things perfect around him in order to perform. Joe, Mayfield doesn’t get that. We love QBs like Baker, Mahommes, who can make things happen with their arm, legs, and head when things break down. Daniels can do that, Browning simply can not. The future at the position would be better served making Daniels the #2. Put Browning on the PS. No one will claim him, and if they do, no great loss.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:39 am
Daniels is still learning the playbook, an NFL offense, is green as grass and brittle as glass. That should cover it.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:50 am
How inconsistent and wild would Mahomes look with the offensive talent at Kansas, that’s a tall hill to climb for any QB, that being said, Browning will and should be QB2 and if Baker goes down a significant amount of games this season, we will be talking about a new coaching staff and 1st round QB next season, not an undrafted QB from Kansas
August 25th, 2026 at 7:08 am
It isn’t a bad idea to cut Browning and try and get him to the practice squad. A veteran like him doesn’t have to pass through waivers. He would however become a free agent again (after collecting his guaranteed money) and it would be his choice whether he resigned or not for less money (max $22,850/wk). They have done that before with Logan Hall and Sterling Shepard. Maybe if they increased Browning’s guaranteed money before they cut him, they could entice him back to the practice squad.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:28 am
I like Daniels’ scrambling ability, but he’s not ready yet, but should be good next year. The Chiefs game is a great example of needing a backup QB who can scramble. If QB1 is knocked out of the game, the OL is likely struggling in pass pro, so a scrambling QB2 has a better chance than a pocket QB.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:43 am
Lol 😆 🤣 you guys are funny you’re so afraid of Daniels if Baker goes down . I’m ready for the Joe’s to start calling people Daniels fans or cult like they did Trask when he out playing Baker in 2023 training camp . They come with those names to throw smoke around the truth lol 😆 😂 and you people fall for it all the time. But don’t worry Bowles will rather lose every game with Baker before he plays or put anyone that can potentially play better than Baker. And we saw it in 2023 when Baker was hurt for real we almost lost the game because he was afraid of Trask coming in and playing better than Baker. It’s NFC championship or bust this year 4 the defense will be good no more excuses!!
August 25th, 2026 at 7:46 am
I think it would be easier to sneak browning to the practise squad than Danial’s.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:57 am
He will be a name on and off the roster in the post 53 cut down roster games.
I LOVE the potential in JD but he is not ready for the #2 QB spot and either are the other QB names on the roster. I expect the Bucs to pick up a big name with starting experience and the contract premium. Just can NOT go forward without Baker.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:29 am
I’m sorry but Browning is an experienced QB. Of course even because he was working with a turnstile line and got beat up and couldn’t perform that is called making excuses.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:38 am
Browning looked like another version of Trask. The guy has no situational awareness and can’t get out of his own way. I still don’t think the Bucs have a true back up QB that can step in for Baker. Bucs need to protect Jalon , he may not be the#2 but he has a lot of potential. After his preseason play he would be picked up before he hits the practice squad if the Bucs don’t keep him on the roster.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:10 am
Let’s see him play against Houston or Denver when they have an actual game plan for him…. If he was anything like some of you think he would have been drafted. Also May I remind you Gruden is not exactly qualified to evaluate a rookie QB since he Never developed one.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:12 am
it’s funny people talking about trask out performing baker in 2023 training camp, but that following preseason game baker scores on first drive and kyle’s first series and he throws a pic, oneilbuc is just mentally challenged as it gets
August 25th, 2026 at 9:15 am
If Baker goes down, we’re screwed either way. I say cut Browning, keep the spot that you would be taking on a QB3 and use it to find a CB on the scrap heap.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:54 am
Browning has experience in losing thats about it lol….
and if Baker goes down, Daniels wont be playing behind a trash OLinemen….
yes, Daniels has a ton to learn but he’ll further his development as the #2 vs #3…Browning hasnt shown anything since 2024
GO BUCS!!!!
August 25th, 2026 at 9:54 am
Chunky glazes any and all QB prospects. The only QB he didn’t seem to like was Chris Simms…and rightfully so.
Gruden becoming more of a lovable cartoon character by the season. The NFL will tie him up in court for as long as they can.
Hopefully he’s having fun at Barstool…he sure enjoyed himself in the booth on Saturday.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:57 am
Chucky threw the ball about 60 times in high wind in New Jersey with Gradkowski. Unforgivable arrogance.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:59 am
Trade Daniels to Steelers for Joey Porter Jr(hold out) , a win win, we get our CB we desperately need and Steelers get their QB of the future
August 25th, 2026 at 10:31 am
In this situation Ability > Experience
Daniels should definitely be QB2.
If he wasn’t as poised as he is, then ok maybe Browning should be QB2.
But Daniels is very poised, confident, and he has tremendous ability and capability.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:31 am
I suppose this kid will be Qb3 on Bowles’ lineup. They will sign him to the practice squad. Then we’ll see if he’s still there after a couple of weeks. A lot of veteran QBs will also be put on practice squads across the league. He may still be in Tampa. I’m hopeful. Next season with more time to learn the playbook he has a real chance to be QB2!! That’s what I believe will happen. That said, If I were HC, I’d put him on the 53! That’s me…I take more risk . Sometimes that pays off. Sometimes not so much. Bowles won’t take the risk!!!!! He’s against it !!!
August 25th, 2026 at 10:33 am
This might be a weird comparison, but I get the same feeling with Daniels that I got with Liam Coen when he was here. Like ‘we can’t let this guy out of the building’. He is lightning in a bottle.
August 25th, 2026 at 11:29 am
Browning held the ball way too long turnsstyles or not that performance was terrible. Daniel’s deserves number two unles he implodes versus Jax. He had no better line than browning and he was able to move out of the pocket. Browning is a statue.
August 25th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
BuccoMarty Says:
August 25th, 2026 at 9:15 am
“If Baker goes down, we’re screwed either way. I say cut Browning, keep the spot that you would be taking on a QB3 and use it to find a CB on the scrap heap.”
This exactly my feelings. Without Mayfield we would be a 12 loss team. Browning is not even a competent backup from what he has shown.
August 25th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
I don’t think Daniels is on anyone’s radar, in terms of a team putting him on their active roster. While he’s looked great, the Bucs have been hiding him, by only letting him play vs 3rd and 4th teamers – I believe to make sure other teams don’t get any useful tape on him.
However, with that said, I’d still cut Browning first – mainly because I think there’s even less risk that someone would pick-up Browning.
Also there are going to be some quality backups cut this preseason. Daniels isn’t the only UDFA rookie QB performing well this preseason, so if someone did pick up Browning, or if he didn’t want to be on the Bucs PS, there would be other quality options out there.
The biggest issue with Browning to me is his lack of velocity when throwing the ball. I know I’ve seen him play in the past, and it never stuck out to me that much, but watching his throws in that preseason game – then going back and watching highlights, he has nothing on his passes. In Cinny he shows some really good accuracy in his highlights, but the passes were such softballs, the catches almost all came down to Chase and Higgins making some great plays to get the ball. Has anyone noted in practices if this has been a thing? Does Browning show up as having notably less velocity on his passes than everyone else – or am I just a victim of watching some highlights instead of more complete film?
August 25th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
The idea that some people are saying that Daniels should be the Bucs #2 QB, to me, is laughable, c’mon folks, do you really expect the playoff hopeful Bucs are going to rely on an NFL inexperienced rookie from one bad injury play away from leading the offense? Daniels has shown some ability and juice, and I think he has some potential and I believe he will be on an NFL roster in the immediate future but for now, the best hope for him is to be a #3 QB on the practice squad.
August 25th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
the fact that folks think Browning will provide anything other than Ls is comical…he has tons of losing experience if you’re looking for a QB with “experience”…
i dont see why folks think Daniels play would drop playing with the 1s…if anything, playing behind the starting OLine and throwing to CG14 & EE2 would elevate his play
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 25th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
I don’t like any ones “rizz,” and I don’t like anyone saying rizz to keep up with the lingo of what broccoli head Gen Alpha dorks use. Men in their 40s should never use the term rizz. Ever.