The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the midst of cutting their roster down to 53 players ahead of Sunday’s 6:30 p.m. deadline.
One of the biggest questions facing the team was how they’d handle the backup quarterback situation as veteran Jake Browning and rookie Jalon Daniels battled it out for the right to be QB2.
Daniels was the team’s best quarterback this preseason by a wide margin, but Browning held the edge in experience. The front office had to decide not only who would be the backup, but whether they’d keep a third quarterback on the roster — something they haven’t done since 2022. Now, one of the team’s biggest question marks has officially been answered as the Buccaneers named Daniels their QB2 and parted ways with Browning, via NFL Nework's Ian Rapoport.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers choose Jalon Daniels as their backup quarterback
Jalon Daniels has officially won the QB2 job in Tampa Bay, per @RapSheet
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) August 30, 2026
The rookie earned it with an incredible performance through training camp and the preseason.
What a find in undrafted free agency by the Buccaneers front office! pic.twitter.com/Dk14zLRrFv
Through three preseason games, Daniels completed 27-of-44 pass attempts (61%) for 239 yards and a touchdown, while adding 37 rushing yards and another touchdown. He led two game-winning drives in his first two career games.
It became apparent that Daniels had significantly more upside than Browning, forcing the team into a difficult choice at backup quarterback that they never expected to have to make. If they didn’t keep the rookie on the active roster, he’d have to clear waivers, and he simply wasn’t going to go unclaimed after the impressive play he put on tape.
Daniels has game-breaking speed and a rocket arm, giving Tampa Bay a lot of tools to work with as they groom him to be Baker Mayfield’s backup for years to come. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said earlier this offseason that Daniels has one of the strongest arms he’s ever been around, and the organization has been enamored with the rookie’s energy and attitude.
That’s why they had no choice but to choose Daniels and move on from Browning. Sure, the veteran presented a “safer” option, and the offense might run more smoothly with him at the helm. But the harsh reality is that if Mayfield goes down for an extended period, the Bucs’ season is all but over anyway. In that nightmare scenario, they’re better off throwing their rookie into the fire, allowing him to get valuable reps and fast-track his development rather than settling for the high-floor, low-ceiling option in Browning.
Tampa Bay will have to look elsewhere for a QB3, as Fox Sports' Greg Auman reports that Browning declined the offer to return to the team's practice squad after losing the backup quarterback battle.
Despite being a difficult decision, the Buccaneers made the right move by rolling the dice on Daniels. He appears to be poised for a long-term future in Tampa Bay, and the front office chose to embrace that future after the rookie’s impressive preseason.
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