Jason Licht Says Jalon Daniels Wrote QB2 Blueprint
September 1st, 2026
Bucs No. 2 QB Jalon Daniels.
UPDATED: The Bucs have an undrafted rookie backup quarterback.
That’s an intriguing call after the team made win-now moves to add depth at linebacker and defensive tackle with 30-year-old veterans.
But Jalon Daniels forced the Bucs’ hand, apparently. He won that No. 2 QB job and Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht is standing tall behind his decision, it seems.
NFL Network reporter Sara Walsh had a chat about Daniels with Licht and shared it this morning on X.
Walsh wrote: “There’s no blueprint for an undrafted rookie becoming your number 2 quarterback. Jalon basically wrote his own.” — Bucs GM Jason Licht on Jalon Daniels.”
Joe gets Daniels’ upside, but Joe highly doubts that includes being a quality backup as a rookie. Hopefully, the Bucs won’t need him. They haven’t started a backup QB in a game since Ryan Fitzpatrick took the field in 2018.
“It’s an incredible accomplishment for an undrafted rookie to get that position,” Licht said later this morning at a news conference.” I can’t think in the last decade another time it’s happened. But the No. 1 thing is [Daniels] earned it.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:16 am
The way Todd watches out for Baker don’t be surprised Jalón plays this season. If so, hopefully is just one or two games.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:19 am
I wish that version of Ryan Fitzpatrick could be our backup now.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:20 am
In a time long ago, and a place far away, there was a gangly, skinny tall kid who was a back-up QB at Michigan. Finally got to start in his senior year. Entered the draft and was not picked until the last round, a compensatory pick at #199.
He sat on the bench for a couple of years before filling in for the injured starter. He later became a starter and turned to be pretty good. It was about year 1999 or 2000.
The kid’s name was Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr. Ya’ll might of heard of him.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:21 am
Baking with Robinson, you would think so, but Baker is stubborn. Does Bowles have the b@lls to make him take a game off?
September 1st, 2026 at 10:24 am
“They haven’t started a backup QB in a game since Ryan Fitzpatrick took the field in 2018.”
It was glorious, thinking back we went from Fitzmagic in ’18, 30 for 33 year with Jameis in ’19, to SB champs a year later. That needs to be studied.
Still thinking Daniels could factor into life after Baker as well, should the cards fall that way and we have an open QB competition in 2027.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:28 am
It’s hard to take anything serious licht says, he’s too much of a doofus and dang sure don’t belong in the ring of honor. Spytek was the brains of the organization. Licht can fool the glazers but I know better.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Thank goodness our backup QB isn’t Teddy Beidgewater off-the-street, a week away from the season starting
So we got that going for us….which is nice. Big thrower, that Daniels.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:34 am
Ok , JL is playing the odds that Baker can go 17 games and going w Depth elsewhere. It’s risky and bold and could work out if Baker plays 17. JD can finish out a game if needs be and Stick can start the following week if JD looks like he did last week. Baker needs to play a lot smarter though , instead of putting his shoulder down and trying to run through defenders for an extra three yards(its fun to watch and inspiring for the team but it’s also dumb), he needs to slide and get out of harms way. And if we really do have a top 3 OLine (jury out) then it may be fine
September 1st, 2026 at 10:39 am
Shaun King 2.0…
LOL!
September 1st, 2026 at 10:40 am
Good thing we had some worthless preseason games for Daniels to show his stuff.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:41 am
And…..it’s unlikely Pyburn gets signed by the Chiefs without those worthless games for him.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:42 am
daniels has been better as a rookie than say, gold jacket appointee ted hurst. not sure why all the hand wringing and gnashing of teeth over daniels success so far. his upside is massive.
he’s a backup ffs.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:42 am
Relax folks…
I actually like this kid.
He reminds me of Tyrod Taylor.
Very nice smooth accurate passes. Great footwork and movement within the pocket.
He earned the QB2 IMO.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:42 am
Daniels simply has panache… I don’t know why he wasn’t drafted. I might look into it if I feel like it later. But he seems to have something you can’t measure with a ruler or weigh on a scale. You can’t quantify it, but you can see it.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:43 am
We have several of those types this year.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:45 am
John Sinclair… Brady started 25 games at Michigan when he lost his job to a highly touted quarterback he frequently came in to bring the team back from defeat, and Kansas isn’t Michigan, Brady was a really good college quarterback, his poor athleticism made him a 6th rounder which he obviously improved his physique in the pros, not saying it’s not impressive Jalon got the nod
September 1st, 2026 at 10:47 am
Fred McNeil…Jain got undrafted mainly cause of Kansas, he played with inferior talent obviously
September 1st, 2026 at 10:47 am
marine:
he looks to have a stronger arm than king…
king if i remember also threw a lot of wobblers
September 1st, 2026 at 10:49 am
and yes he does remind me a bit of tyrod taylor
September 1st, 2026 at 10:51 am
@ adam
I agree.
I was JK…
I would actually compare him to Tyrod Taylor – who has had a pretty nice career in the NFL BTW as both a back-up and starter.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:54 am
It’s not JDs fault that the Bucs had Ballz and Browning as the competition for QB2, if thats the competition he’s clearly number 2,,, it’s this MBs fault for the hype,, multiple posters here have taken this 11-15 decent (often injured)college UDFA QB from Kansas and through 3 preseason games you’ve taken him from 4th on the DC to 2nd , and gone right to be the next Lamar, Steve Young and now TB12,, Don’t get me wrong . If we have the next TB12 then you guys can never criticize JL again.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:54 am
@ adam
My comparison to S. King is because by mid-season the fans will be clamoring for him to replace BM…
Like we did when we were struggling mentally after being tortured by Trent Dilfer.
September 1st, 2026 at 10:56 am
There was no blueprint for an undrafted rookie becoming QB2, so Daniels apparently just grabbed a Sharpie and drew one. Daniels went from camp curiosity to Baker’s understudy so fast somebody should check whether the depth chart violated the speed limit. That said, the Bucs haven’t needed a backup quarterback to start since 2018. I respectfully request we continue this magnificent tradition indefinitely.
September 1st, 2026 at 11:06 am
One difference is Shaun King went 12-0 his senior year at Tulane (JD 5-7), and to this day is still considered a legendary QB there
September 1st, 2026 at 11:15 am
Daniels is there to tank the season if Mayfield gets hurt (or just simply plays bad). Simple as that.
September 1st, 2026 at 11:19 am
SK10 was a better prepared NFL Quarterback at the same time in their rookie year.
JL is bigger, quicker, stronger arm
, has bigger hands
But is CLUELESS as to what a real NFL game speed defense looks like.
Of course I wish him the best but gesso slow your roll and pray he doesn’t have to replace Baker if he’s injured
September 1st, 2026 at 11:22 am
Joe, how does a player become a “quality backup” without playing in a regular season game? How does any player get better by not playing with and against starters? Typical boomer. Just keep doing the same thing over and over and surely things will change eventually. The Bucs tried the old, experienced vet last season and this preseason and those plans crashed and burned. Its time for the young man to get experience by…um…playing football. And not against the scout team.
If experience was so valuable Flacco would still be a starting QB and Browning would have a job. There are lots of teams keeping 3 and 4 QBs on the roster to not let go of the potential of their young players. Let’s see what he can do and give him time to do it. You know…like teams have done for Baker.
September 1st, 2026 at 11:38 am
An incentive for Baker to stay healthy…..he had no worries with Browning…..but Daniels is another story altogether.
He is the type of QB who can light it up when he has confidence and good players around him.
Browning didn’t show me anything…..
I’d rather have a young potential star than a career backup.
September 1st, 2026 at 11:39 am
@Fred McNeil
I agree with you he just has it you can tell the moment isn’t to big for him. He looks in control and doesn’t panic. Browning just looked like a deer in the headlights. Daniels just has something about him that you can teach. That’s why he won the job. I think he would do fine in 2-3 starts if he has to. He will do what’s asked of him and not be overwhelmed. His stats won’t be off the chart but he won’t be the reason we lose
September 1st, 2026 at 11:56 am
I hope you guys are right because I didn’t see the IT factor or the you just can’t teach that factor the last game. What my eyes saw were the speed of the game is too fast for him at the moment , the 3s and 4s he was running away from weeks 1 and 2, weren’t as fast as the 2s he couldn’t outrun in week 3. They say the speed of the game slows as you get experience so let’s hope for that . I doubt he will be ready to be serviceable this season so we need Baker to take less chances. What I can 100% agree with you on is JD was way better than Balzzz and Browning , JL should be ashamed of having those 2 take any reps away from the kid
September 1st, 2026 at 11:59 am
I dunno, it could be because he was also going against Bowles defense in practice, now I am no Todd Bowles hater, but I definitely was nervous everytime the Bucs played against a rookie QB.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:13 pm
It won’t matter come January….
House cleaning beginning 2027!
September 1st, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Bee
PREACH!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 1st, 2026 at 12:28 pm
@ Bee
Sounds bout right to me bud… Nice take.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:32 pm
@ John Sinclear – That’s a real nice story. No one knew that. Never heard it before. WOW. Where did YOU find all of this information from… I mean, HOW did YOU get such access!? Amazing. You are a great historian. Astounding research there. So, now we know. Bravo.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Bee. “You know, like teams have done for Baker.”
Ok Bee, I’ll take the bait. The Browns in 2018 were 0-2 and losing their 3rd game of the season by 14-0. They were coming off of an 0-16 season in 2017 (Myles Garrett’s rookie season). They had won a single game in 2016 1-15.
Baker stepped onto an NFL field for his first regular season appearance when Tyrod Taylor (I think that’s who was the first teamer who got hurt) went down.
His first pass was a rifled seam pass for 15 yards and they were off! They won the game 17-14 and Cleveland went crazy. They finished the season 7-8-1 so Baker was 7-6-1.
He won the Pro football writers of America rookie of the year. He set the all time NFL record for touchdown passes by a rookie with 26. In 13 1/2 games.
Taking over that team he absolutely should have had consideration for league MVP. I don’t know of another single player would have pulled that off.
Bee. Your dumba$$ asks “how does a player become a quality backup without playing in a regular season game?”
That, Bee, is a question for the fan that wouldn’t know his butt from a hole in the ground. That would not be a question for a professional athlete.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Bee, who’s the boomer? Boomers are all in their 70s and 80s now. Some of the posters here might be boomers but I don’t think Ira wrote that.
40 year Bucs fan Says:
September 1st, 2026 at 10:28 am
It’s hard to take anything serious licht says, he’s too much of a doofus and dang sure don’t belong in the ring of honor. Spytek was the brains of the organization. Licht can fool the glazers but I know better.
So, you know better? You who read articles on websites know more than the Glazers who actually have meetings with and know Licht personally? Glazers who were able to buy an NFL franchise and on of the most popular Premiership clubs are being fooled by a GM many NFL insiders think is pretty good at his job into thinking he’s a, what, hirable GM?
Who’s the doofus here again?
September 1st, 2026 at 12:37 pm
@ WBL Says: “It was glorious, thinking back we went from Fitzmagic in ’18, 30 for 33 year with Jameis in ’19, to SB champs a year later. That needs to be studied.”
Looks like you should prob get with this John Sinclear. He knows things that NO ONE knows. It’s really amazing.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Oh and Purdy was a pretty good 3rd string back up. No experience.
Purdy doesn’t get picked one more spot, he’s also an undrafted FA.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Marine Buc. And I thought you had good sense.
September 1st, 2026 at 12:53 pm
The ONLY thing I’m sure about concerning the kid was that he found was to win games. And it sure “looked like” the guys like playing ball with him. His energy seems infectious.
Now, I didn’t get to see the last game but from what I Did See, He found a way and won those games. Now… does it equal a hill of beans? I’m gonna have to say YES it D@m Sure does! He got the job!
Then again let’s be honest, the undrafted rookie didn’t seem to really have any competition… Browning, (besides one effort to grab yards with his feet) might as well have the nick name “stick in the mud”…. BOOOORRING!
Besides, they’re NOT going to spend any money on high quality
September 1st, 2026 at 12:54 pm
@ Lightningvinny1 says: “If we have the next TB12 then you guys can never criticize JL again.”
Did you not watch the game and see Lickt in the booth!? He said, that HE doesn’t have ANYTHING to do with the UDFA dudes… ONLY the DRAFT. And, it was later disclosed that JD was Z-Rob’s guy, and had him being ranked as HIS 3rd or 4th QB in the class. JL literally, had absolutely NOTHING to do with it. And, I don’t blame him for letting everyone in on this… I would too, if I were HIM. He’s learned by now after 14-YEARS, to run far away. Even though, it is exactly what I have expected all along. It’s obvious. The real question being, WTF DOES “HE” DO!? He’s USELESS.
September 1st, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I like Daniels’ upside but if Mayfield goes down this season, the team is screwed. Doesn’t matter if the backup is Daniels, Stick or Browning.
September 1st, 2026 at 1:11 pm
“Looks like you should prob get with this John Sinclear. He knows things that NO ONE knows. It’s really amazing.”
Don’t even know what you’re referencing here to give you an appropriate response Melvin, but I’ll ask plainly-what are you even talking about ?
September 1st, 2026 at 1:33 pm
So to the guy that said Brock Purdy was an UDFA ,, he actually was the last pick in draft , aka Mr Irrelivant ,
September 1st, 2026 at 2:01 pm
40 year Bucs fan Says:
September 1st, 2026 at 10:28 am
Please tell us how you know better. This is a stupid narrative until we see magical things happen with the Raiders. There’s no evidence for it. And the 2 drafts post-Spytek have been as good as any with him. So, please, stop with this BS. The Licht bashing makes no sense.
September 1st, 2026 at 2:06 pm
“I SO SCARED”……
Thats for the Baker hater bois.
But seriously, i hope the kid gets better and grows….unlike the baker hater bois, i dont root against ANYONE on my team.
September 1st, 2026 at 2:23 pm
That’s a great resigning
September 1st, 2026 at 2:29 pm
This is a joke or some strategic move to position the franchise for a top 10 first rd pick, given all the QB talent that is about to enter the NFL.
September 1st, 2026 at 4:24 pm
He played well enough to be a QB2 plus the added benefit(to the team) of being a minimum wage player for two to three years.
September 1st, 2026 at 4:39 pm
He is a terrible number 2 QB
September 1st, 2026 at 4:59 pm
@ Warren Brooks Lynch Says: “Looks like you should prob get with this John Sinclear. He knows things that NO ONE knows. It’s really amazing.”
No worries. It was just a stupid joke. I had responded to “this guy’s” (John) earlier post on the history of Tom Brady. He seemed to have lots of ‘insider’ information, that no one else had ever heard before.
September 1st, 2026 at 5:00 pm
@ Rich Says: “He is a terrible number 2 QB”
Don’t worry, Baker… You’ll be just fine. LoL
September 1st, 2026 at 5:03 pm
@ Confido75 Says: “This is a joke or some strategic move to position the franchise for a top 10 first rd pick.”
This makes absolutely NO SENSE whatsoever, in any universe.
September 1st, 2026 at 5:19 pm
I think one of the main considerations is how much the players are behind Daniels. I commented on the Bucs Facebook page to watch out for Daniels (or something like that) and my comment was actually liked by Bain and Tykee Smith!!