Jalon Daniels Performance = Critical Front Office Evaluation
September 29th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
After a week in which backup quarterbacks Case Keenum, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota won games as starting quarterbacks — two against excellent football teams — the Bucs’ decisions at backup QB come into major focus.
Baker Mayfield got injured late in Sunday’s sad loss to the Vikings. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels entered for the game’s final drive with no timeouts and understandably couldn’t muster a comeback drive.
Now, Daniels will start Sunday in a must-win game against the Packers.
Why is Daniels the Bucs backup QB? Because the front office decided long ago it didn’t want to invest at the position.
It was a judgment call, and a somewhat strange one considering Mayfield was banged up for more than half of last season, playing through various injuries with a style not rooted in self-preservation.
Joe found the backup QB decision odd because of the Bucs’ expectations of a winning season, and a good postseason run. An undrafted rookie?
On the flip side, Mayfield not missing a game since he arrived in 2023, and the Bucs not starting a backup quarterback since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018, certainly weighed on the Bucs’ decision. Understandably so.
A decision was made to sign veteran QB Jake Browning this offseason. The 30-year-old was a guy the Bucs liked and he came with a bottom-tier salary. Not only did Browning not make the team, he currently has no team. And the Bucs rolled with Daniels.
Joe believes Buccaneers Ring of Honor Jason Licht and Todd Bowles should be judged on how Daniels peforms over the next few games. That’s fair. They approved of Daniels and thought he was a smart call after Browning didn’t cut it.
Daniels is entitled to a learning curve and Joe is not saying he has to dominate — or play like Mariota did beating the Seahawks or Keenum against the Eagles last night. But Daniels better look somewhat competent and promising. That’s not too much to ask.
For those wondering, Mariota is earning about $7 million this season, with Winston around $4 million and Keenum about $3 million.
Ira Kaufman Talks Bucs’ Fall To 0-3, Todd Bowles, Jason Licht, And More
September 29th, 2026 at 10:32 am
Oh, here we go! Everybody loved the fact that this guy was the backup. Everybody was screaming about how great he was going to be. No need to make things up. –Joe
Then Baker gets hurt, and all of a sudden everybody wants to evaluate why they didn’t get a better backup.
Nope. You asked for it. You got it. Toyota.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:34 am
Valid question. Baker is always hurt! Or at least that’s the excuse built in for him.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Never say never. Im not saying Daniels can take us to the promised land but after Brady and Purdy you never know if theres a diamond in the rough.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Daniels will do better than Baker and we beat Green Bay Sunday. You heard it here first.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:43 am
I haven’t really understood our approach to the backup QB situation since Licht got here. All of the guys we have had have basically been bums. You can throw Blaine Gabbert in there too. If we all agree that QB is the most important position on the team, shouldn’t we have a more capable backup QB? Now, with Robinson as the coordinator and Bowles as your head coach, it doesn’t make a difference anyway, but you get my point. Licht needs to do better with the roster.
Go away Todd. I will help you move your stuff out, enough!
September 29th, 2026 at 10:47 am
How much does Little Kyle Trask make , never mind.
September 29th, 2026 at 10:50 am
Baker in Cincinnati set the Bar VERY VERY LOW…..
September 29th, 2026 at 10:53 am
He outplayed the backup that sucked in Cincinnati so I’m all good with trying the younger better Prospect, screw Jake Browning
September 29th, 2026 at 10:54 am
And it’s not like the starting quarterback looked competent so why are we going to hold an undrafted rookie backup quarterback to look competent
September 29th, 2026 at 10:54 am
All Daniels has to do is get the ball out at 2 seconds, regardless whether anyone is open
September 29th, 2026 at 10:55 am
If Daniels comes out and plays well enough to win, and we actually win.
Ownership and the front office are going to look crazy, with our first win coming when the guy they paid to be the “franchise” is on the sideline. The scouting team will look good for a day though, and whomever was the rep that was charged with selling Daniels to sign with us will deserve a week full of taco days.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:01 am
Godwin 10 catches at least guaranteed Sunday!! Some reason Godwin has been ignored. I think there’s some kind of beef with Mayfield and Godwin. Don’t be surprised if he is dealt before Mayfield returns from injury, just a guess. Go Bucs
September 29th, 2026 at 11:05 am
Yes Joe I thought it was odd to not add a veteran like Jimmy G or Flaco , both available. With that said I thought Daniel’s was a better addition than Browning other than he apparently did not cost much. However, now to be honest, I looking forward to seeing this kid play!. He brings a lot of energy and swagger. Baker as has the O line have not been doing well. I have no expectations on playoff play from this young man, but I think a breath of fresh air at this point can’t hurt. I mean let’s face its not like like Baker and the offense have been lighting up the score board. So Daniel’s at this juncture not likely to be a lot worse. He might even be better at least now. He is faster, can make any throw Baker makes and is not afraid to hang in the pocket, something Baker good luck to you with your mom open the door open the door for you see you later
has not been doing as of late. Who knows maybe the O Line will block better knowing the kid needs all the help he can get. Yes many pluses when you consider besides the team is 0-3, the bottom of the barrel right now. The team needs change quickly because many of the current players sadly just are not performing.
So let’s get behind Daniels and see what happens. Actually we don’t have a choice. I know as a season ticket holder I am looking forward to the change.
!!!. I would not mind a few more to be honest!!
September 29th, 2026 at 11:06 am
End of 2024 it was clear to see!
September 29th, 2026 at 11:09 am
About to probably go 0-6, or at best, 1-5. But don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll win all 11 games after that. Lol! Either way, it should be one fun sh!t show to watch for the foreseeable future, making this team the butt of every single one of my jokes. I don’t even think I’m mad anymore, just in that kind of shock where can only laugh like a madman, like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation. I truly am in shock at how bad this team is all the way around.
Now we will be starting a QB with no experience, so it should get pretty interesting with this horrible offense. I really wanna see Daniels succeed, but I feel like these next 3 weeks will be even more embarrassing then the last 3 weeks, leading to complete blowouts.
Now if by some miracle of God, Daniels goes 3-0, especially playing Dallas on primetime, I would say he deserves to be the starter, even if Baker is healthy.
But that’s wishful thinking. This team is one of those teams that I just like to sit and make fun of now. This is the new Cleveland Browns of the league. Just sit there and watch, laughing and pointing, making jokes about how bad they stink. At least, that provides me with entertainment. 0-6 start incoming more than likely, and nothing or no one will save this season. It’s already been destroyed at this point, so just laugh about how bad they are and you won’t mad at least.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:10 am
What can be worse than baker?
September 29th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Case Keenum, man he looked good. Jalon reminds me of a slower Mike Vick. They must have high hopes for Jalon considering Baker is prone to getting hurt. The bar for the offense is so low. I think people will be surprised this week with his play. I would hope the O-line plays with more urgency to help the rookie. I can hope..”fingers crossed.”
September 29th, 2026 at 11:13 am
I will watch Sunday. If it were Browning, maybe not.
The defense will have to lead the way. I am fine with that. It is how it should be, in Tampa.
Walker should be in there on every third and long. He creates chaos.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Thanks Joe, they picked him to be the backup, and so the real goes with that decision. As staff, they are responsible for the choice
September 29th, 2026 at 11:17 am
the front office should be constantly evaluating the roster and coaches…that the problem…no sense of urgency from top to bottom
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 29th, 2026 at 11:22 am
This is going to RUIN that kid. No faith the OL will protect him or be able to run the football with any consistency. No faith in a game plan conducive in supporting Daniels. No faith that JL made the right roster decision. Certainly no faith in Todd Bowles. I don’t see this ending well at all. And we have to go on the road to Dallas in a short week next week? Then face the Steelers D the following? And this week we get a desperate GB team with a much better QB than Kyler Murray.
Like I said, I hope this doesn’t ruin Daniels. This is NOT fair to him. He ain’t ready like Mendoza wasn’t ready.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Jalon Daniels had the 9th ranked combination score of all QB’s at the combine. Someone mentioned Jalon looks like a slower version of Michael Vick? That could be said of ANY QB as Vick ran the fastest QB 40 in history at 4.33.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Bottom line Chicago is a very well coached team
September 29th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Only slight advantage is there’s no real game-film on him, only preseason junk……how will he handle pressure??? He won’t have home field advantage either as the Cheese-Heads will pack Ray-Jay on SUnday.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:33 am
I’m a baker fan but man he’s bin playing worse than Winston. I’m hoping joes favorite word lol but I’m hoping Jaylon jump starts this offense. Someone’s got to get this off out of the rut it’s in. I just want to see the O come alive. Looks like they bin sleeping since the season started.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:34 am
Great strategy. Make an undrafted free agent, with plenty of potential, lots of skill, but not much experience, your backup QB. Now we’re down 0-3, on the skids, and expecting this young man to pull us up.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:39 am
If JD10 does play at a high level, then this post is completely irrelevant lol.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:44 am
I dont think we will score a touchdown this week.We may kick a FG if we get a turnover .
September 29th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Would be wild if daniels plays really well and wins some games – then baker comes back healthy and we have a qb controversy similar to when we had Fitz and Jameis – really hoping daniels can just be solid – we very well could be 2-1 with just solid average qb play
September 29th, 2026 at 11:50 am
SOOOOOO…. who exactly is backing up Daniels now ????
September 29th, 2026 at 11:53 am
I would have traded Vita and Baker the second they started their pity party.
High priced but low performance. It doesn’t have to be this way.
The normalcy bias tends to override common sense a lot.
“This is how it is” mentality rarely leads to positive outcomes.
Baker had zero ground to stand on after last season. The $165 million could have been avoided completely.
Incompetence rules the day at OBP.
September 29th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Give the kid a chance. Can he do any worse than BM6 thru the first 3 games? I don’t think so. It would be entertaining if the O line could step up and protect the kid!! Throw in a run game and perhaps a miracle or two could happen. Of course it goes without saying that the D needs to build on their last game performance and dominate too!!!
September 29th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Mayfields out cosmo! Watch what you wish for! Oh yeah with your boy Bowles defense playing the way they are,he’s gotta chance ! Hahahahahhah! You sniveling little brat!
September 29th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Coaching is my concern. I don’t have faith in Robinson to scheme things to help Daniels or coach Daniels to play well. I hope Daniels plays well and stays healthy.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Why am I being moderated?
September 29th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
This might actually help >>>ZR to plan for the type of QB he has instead of thinking his QB can do every throw. 2-17 on 3rd downs can only get better.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
This team is 0 and 3 with the starter who cares who the backup is no one is coming to save the bucs.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Jalon Daniels will be way better than Baker has been this year. You’ll see.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
These negative comments are typical for this site. Our “fans” have a short memory and forget about Baker’s 2023 and 2024 seasons and his impressive stats over the past three years. And let’s face it, even though Baker played poorly over the last three games, he still made throws to Hurst (dropped TD) and Godwin (TD called back because of penalty) which could have won those games. That said, I truly wish our young QB luck because you guys will eat him alive if he fails.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Licht’s roster blunders have been showcased for many years now. He was only saved when Brady took over the roster. Glazers (how I wish they would sell the franchise!) need to clean house after this long-suffering season. The fans don’t deserve this sh%tshow! Incompetency, apathy and arrogance on full display.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Joe gives up. Why are you moderated? No one told Joe you were.
Maybe “they” (Chucky LaMar) have something against you. Have you checked the skies above your house lately? 🙂
September 29th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
To be fair, Winston, Mariota and Keenum have all been in the NFL a long time, playing in different Offensive Systems and seeing about every Defensive Scheme possible. They have lots of experience in the NFL, Jalon does not. He will learn though. Tampa should’ve kept a 3rd QB with more experience at least to be there to help Jalon grow as a player. He has talent, he just needs time, reps and refinement. Does Tampa have Time for that? No, but they don’t have a choice either. One last thing, Mariota has actually gotten better as time has gone on though that has taken a lot of time but he has aged well as a player.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Name a single QB this team has ever evaluated that has been worth a sh*t? We’re as good at evaluating QB’s as we are at evaluating DE’s and RB’s.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Unless the glazers signed off on all these mistakes licht can kick rocks along with Bowles
September 29th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
I really hope they don’t hang this kid out to dry. Like they need to have a solid game plan going into this game. A lot of shorter passes and run heavy approach. The packers can’t stop the run to begin with. I expect a lot of Bucky in this game and I really hope they play Sean Tucker that guy is better than Gainwell who has pretty much done nothing here.
September 29th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Gainwell should change his name to Gainpoorly.
He sucks since he’s been here.
Jalon Daniels could definitely benefit from a good running game, but I think he will do what has to do to win. And I think he’s our best QB right now. Baker sucks since the Bye Week of last year.
September 29th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
This year is a wrap let’s see if he will look good with the one’s.
Brady not coming out of retirement so f it… Honestly I see talent in his abilities but I have low belief in zac Robinson. He didn’t get his o line ready this year for his game plan and his schemes are honestly vanilla.
He will cross players into the same area a lot were zone safety’s can sit down and hawk.
He thinks handing off to wr which is a college play is a good idea.
Idk we look as bad as a team can and for me baker looks always dejected and confused with every defense.
The kid just need 2 hot reads and check the safety moments..
Not there drop it the back or te..or toss it out of bounds..coach him to take the easy play.. allow the defense to take the pressure of the game and get the best kicker in the NFL close enough to keep points coming in.
A few runs for first downs by him and bucky..few Godwin passes and couple touchdowns from him to eubuka and hurst.
Greenbay has no tape on him other than Preseason… Zac started a rookie in penix
September 29th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
Why is Daniels the Bucs backup QB? Because the front office decided long ago it didn’t want to invest at the position.
———
I strongly disagree with that.
Browning was considered a pretty good backup – and lost the position battle in preseason. I don’t think for a second the Bucs had any intention of going with an UDFA, but Daniels won the job – they didn’t hand it to him.
September 29th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
I know there were a lot of people like me who had the feeling something like this was going to happen. I hope this kid comes out and plays his tail off. But, when the Bucs made the decision to go with an undrafted rookie at backup QB, you were hoping this doesn’t come back and bite us. Well hopefully after Sunday we aren’t all saying, make stupid decisions win stupid prizes. There were definitely experienced QB’s out there we could have gotten fairly cheap as a backup but for some reason chose not to. This kid could turn out to be a good QB, or he will get destroyed the next three weeks and completely loses his confidence and will never be the player we hope he could be.