Following a stunning off-season shift in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers have released veteran backup quarterback Jake Browning, elevating undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels to the QB2 role behind Baker Mayfield just ahead of their season opener at the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Quarterback Shake-Up and the Rookie Takeover
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a major roster gamble by cutting veteran backup quarterback Jake Browning and handing the primary backup job to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels, according to Yahoo Sports. Browning, who spent the previous five seasons in Cincinnati as Joe Burrow’s backup and started 10 career games, was signed early in free agency this offseason and was given $400,000 in guaranteed money. His sudden release surprised observers who watched him play solidly in practice. (For the folks now howling about the previous paragraph, every backup QB sucks; otherwise, he wouldn’t be a backup. Think about it.) What adds to Joe’s surprise is the Bucs, apparently, are going with a rookie undrafted free agent who doesn’t know the playbook yet and struggles with snaps from under center after being in a shotgun college offense.
Stepping into his place is the 6-foot, 208-pound Daniels, who spent six years in college at Kansas and started 45 games for the Jayhawks. During his college career, Daniels threw for 9,282 yards, 67 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions on 61.5% completions, while also rushing for 1,445 yards and 23 scores. Over three preseason games this summer, Daniels went 27-of-44 passing for 239 yards and a touchdown, adding 14 rushes for 37 yards and another score. While scouts initially viewed him as a longer-term project due to concerns over his accuracy and consistency, Daniels impressed coaching staff as early as OTAs and minicamps with his off-schedule playmaking and quick recognition skills.
Assessing the Risks of a Thinning Roster
Though Daniels sparked second-half comebacks against the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs during the first two exhibitions, his third preseason outing was shakier. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 yards and lost a fumble, highlighting the steep learning curve ahead. Joebucsfan noted that the rookie still needs time to master the playbook and adjust to taking snaps from under center after playing in a shotgun-heavy college offense. The publication warned that going with an inexperienced backup is a massive risk, especially considering that the team’s offensive line concerns now extend far beyond protecting the starting lineup. Joe previously wrote that fans need to light candles for Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke because if one of those guys gets hurt, watch out! Now you can add Baker Mayfield to that list of players deserving prayers and protection from the Almighty.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has never missed a game in his three seasons in Tampa Bay, but he enters the new campaign in the final year of his contract. Mayfield is currently at odds with the organization over a future extension, having stated that he ended contract negotiations until after the season. If Daniels is forced into action during a pinch, the team’s offensive stability could face an immediate test as Tampa Bay opens the season at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Front Office and Coaching Departures Compound the Challenge
The roster maneuvering unfolds against a backdrop of sweeping changes across the franchise’s coaching staff and front office. In a stunning turn of events reported by Pewterreport, offensive coordinator Liam Coen left Tampa Bay to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coen had verbally agreed to a three-year deal that would have made him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in NFL history, but instead finalized his move to Jacksonville, where he will also help select the team’s new general manager.
The departure left leadership within the organization unhappy, particularly after Coen stealthily met with Jaguars owner Shad Khan while communicating otherwise to team brass. With Coen gone, the Buccaneers are searching for their fourth offensive coordinator in four seasons, following the departures of Dave Canales to Carolina in 2024 and Coen in 2025. Additional staff losses include assistant general manager John Spytek taking the general manager job with the Raiders, co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers moving to the Lions as defensive line coach, and linebackers coach Larry Foote interviewing for Detroit’s defensive coordinator vacancy.
