“He’s The Star Of His Own Movie”
October 11th, 2026
Are the Bucs rallying around undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels, or is he the one insipring those around him?
There’s no clear answer, of course, and the Bucs have won just one of Daniels’ two starts. But it’s hard for Joe not to wonder what Daniels’ impact really is after the Bucs notched a “W” following a terrible stretch of losing.
Senior Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin gave his Year 10 view of Daniels during a Speakeasy podcast interview from the happy Bucs locker room on Thursday night in Dallas.
“He has like this aura about him,” Godwin said of Daniels. “He comes in; he’s very charismatic. He’s got like this childlike enthusiasm that he plays the game with. And it’s dope to see.
“Guys like that, they keep you young, man. It’s like when he’s out there, he’s the star of his own movie.”
Godwin went on to rave about Daniels’ mobility and composure.
Big game for Daniels next Sunday, assuming he starts. Now there are two weeks of film on Daniels in the Tampa Bay offense. A solid defense like Pittsburgh’s will be waiting for him. If he takes his game to another level and wins, the Bucs will have a short-term quarterback decision on their hands — whether they claim it’s a non-question or not.
October 11th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Here’s to Wally Pip
October 11th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
I say keep Daniels in. He is the team guy. Let the offense continue to work together this way. His turnovers don’t bother me as much as Baker’s.
The sad part is Baker will start to soon and Bowles will look the other way rather than telling him not yet. SMH
We should trade Baker. Let the kid develop and win us the division.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Im loving it…just do you Jalon…..
October 11th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
They should both play at the same time. How cool that would be.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
And that’s why this team is player better. Don’t take him out.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
I think we all saw something in this kid during preseason. It was obvious he was much better than Browing . On the field he seems more composed than Baker and quicker. However, we need to remember he is a rookie and will have highs and lows. With that said he may be our qb of the future.
I think th more he plays the better he gets. Let’s see how he does against Pitt a real defense. I do think if he plays well and Baker continues to play poorly upon his return the Bucs will have no choice but to go Daniels. However, Baker will return as he should. Let’s hope Baker plays well to help the team. It would be nice to have 2 good qb on the roster.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
He looked real good in preseason and then followed that up with his second pro start. I don’t think Baker has anything more to give and will not be able to elevate his game any higher than it has been. That said Bowles needs to go, and the only reason you may be seeing life in this team is because of Daniel’s. His value may be much, much higher than anyone realizes. Next week is the real test.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Next goal: stack two W’s in a row..starting this week.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
We’ve seen Baker’s ceiling and it’s ok. He’s not going to get better. I’d rather play Jalon from here on out than see Baker. Jalon appears more poised than Baker already, has a quicker release and much better wheels. Let the kid play. Baker can take his moxie back to the bench and be a coach.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
This will turn into a Cleveland Browns situation and they will start Baker even if he comes back and struggles because you don’t pay someone 55 million a year to hold a clipboard.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Here’s my take on it. The Bucs beat Dallas because the entire offense finally played well. The quarterback, JD, played well enough to win. But really Bucky Irving was the difference maker and that’s on the Oline. The Oline was aggressive and finally played like they had a chip on their shoulder. The game was won offensively by the Oline, and an awesome defensive performance.
It’s amazing to me that so many think Baker Mayfield should be benched. Are you kidding me ? I say if Baker had been in the Dallas game the Bucs would have won easily.
I’m confident that during team workouts when Baker is healthy, if he’s lost his touch or can’t throw with the same velocity the coaches will make the decision to leave JD in. But when Bakers ready, he’ll get another start.
Meantime let’s hope the Oline and defense continue to play well.
Because the game is won and lost in the trenches.
Go Bucs !!
October 11th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
We beat Dallas because Dallas has a really terrible defense, who bailed out our offense with penalty after penalty. Along with the fact that Zach Robinson actually called a game that wasn’t all passes behind the line. Our defense did play well.
October 11th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
@ Bartow
39-25.
39 runs to 25 passes. The Bucs hadn’t done that in years until Thursday.
Run the football consistently in the first half and it will pay dividends in the second half as it wears down the opposing defense and controls the clock.
Panic and give up on the run in the first half and the second half will be Hell!
39-25 is the Bucs winning formula. If they can’t win with it, they can’t win.
Sit Baker until he is completely healthy. And, stick with 39-25 when Baker does come back.
October 11th, 2026 at 2:41 pm
39 -25 Rookie gameplan that worked,Before this year there was a dude tossing 35- 40 td’s a year.. Thats why the numbers were opposite…
October 11th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
I think baker was calling the plays
October 11th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
The kid is playing pretty darn well for an undrafted FA. Jalon deserves the Steelers game as well even if Mayfield “claims” he is 100%.
October 11th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
Baker can be the highest paid backup in NFL history. Let JD play. If Jalon god forbid gets hurt, when then have a fresh #1 QB at the ready… right?
October 11th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
Baker can be the highest paid backup in NFL history. Let JD play. If Jalon god forbid gets hurt, then have a fresh #1 QB at the ready… right?
October 11th, 2026 at 3:09 pm
I’d like to see Jalon’s passing chart. I think aside from the shot to Tez(where he broke that dude’s ankles on the route) and the first down to Egbuka, the ball never traveled more than 10 yards downfield in the air. Dink and dunk can win, but I felt like I was watching a Pop Warner offense. Just saying.
October 11th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Dump Baker and his contract. He’s getting paid the same as Josh Allen!!!! Can anyone make sense of that for me? I like Baker, he’s just not worth that much. Know one will even take him for what we’re paying him. We would have to eat money on it. Another Glazer and Licht blunder.
Liam got lucky today, some horrible coaching on his end and team full of penalties as well.
I’m not sure what the answer is for us Tampa Die Hards. I’m just glad I don’t live in Tampa and would be spending money on season tickets!
October 11th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
Please don’t do this ,BUCSNATION don’t start the just trade Baker the kids a sure thing , he has played in less than 2 games so far. He looks good at times ,same MO he had in his long ocollege career, boy the Kansas teams he led really stacked up the wins not to mention all thos e championships right?? No you mean he was just a average QB in a average team that didn’t win big ever. You get it , don’t get me wrong, I like him he’s a baller who probably will be just fine as a back up QB in the NFL. but don’t start the dump Mayfield stuff at least not yet. The Bucs beat a bad plowboys team that is on the verge of total collapse. He looked good in a scaled back offense & the Bucs still almost lost ,.we were bailed by a leaping pic by a veteran player who has seen it done it not a UDFA. He will develop hopefully into a every SUNDAY starter but please don’t heap a lot of unrealistic hopes for making him a savior on a Middle of the road Bucs team at best ,. We will be lucky to win 8 games this season with or without him.