Bucs Report provided this story to Sports Talk Florida, and Greg D’Cruz breaks down why Jalon Daniels, despite his talent, isn’t positioned to become Baker Mayfield’s backup quarterback when Tampa Bay opens the season in Cincinnati three weeks from today.
Quarterback experience is a currency in the NFL. In 2020, Tom Brady handpicked Blaine Gabbert as his backup because he wanted someone who understood the league, the system, and the weekly grind. The relationship between a starter and his backup is vital during practice and on gameday. Daniels simply doesn’t offer that level of support yet.
Baker Mayfield’s job isn’t to teach a rookie how to play quarterback at the NFL level. Coaches must devote their time to preparing the starter, not developing the backup. Daniels has talent, but he lacks the experience needed to be the next man up.
Not Quite There
Defenses aren’t game‑planning for Daniels right now. His creativity is partly a necessity, and preseason football allows for improvisation. But Zac Robinson’s offense becomes far more complex once the regular season begins.
A backup quarterback is one snap away from becoming the starter. Daniels needs more time to grow before he can handle that responsibility. Todd Bowles is coaching to win now, and if Baker goes down for any extended stretch, the Buccaneers’ chances of stacking wins diminish quickly.
Jake Browning, however, has already started NFL games. He knows how to prepare, how to manage a huddle, and how to operate under pressure. If Baker gets hurt, Bowles is far more likely to turn to Browning.
All That I’m Saying Is Give Jake A Chance
Browning played only one preseason game, and he did so behind a struggling offensive line. That performance shouldn’t define him. Coaches have watched him every day in practice, and they know what he can do with Tampa Bay’s starting offensive line in front of him.
His struggles in Cincinnati last year came behind an offensive line that was constantly injured and inconsistent. If Baker goes down and the Bucs’ line stays healthy, Browning’s experience becomes a valuable asset.
For a team with playoff expectations, experience matters more than upside.
It’s A Developmental Situation
Daniels has real potential. With another year of development, he could become something special. But in 2026, with everything on the line, Browning is the safer and more reliable option at QB2.
Daniels fits perfectly as QB3 — a developmental player with upside, time to grow, and no pressure to be the immediate solution.
Greg D’Cruz has been nominated for “Best Columnist” in Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay. If you would like to vote for him, the link is available on Bucs Report. For more from Greg, follow him on Twitter.
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