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Connor Bazelak Is Out in Tampa, and the Bucs’ QB Battle Just Got a Whole Lot Clearer

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo on gradient background
Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo on gradient background — Created by the Sports On Tap desk | Source : Sports On Tap (team logos property of their respective owners)

Hold up, Seattle, you gotta see this! Connor Bazelak is officially off the Buccaneers’ roster, hitting the waiver wire as teams across the league start making those brutal, gut-wrenching moves to get down to the final 53-player limit. This ain’t just another name on some dusty cut list, man. This is a pretty loud, clear signal about exactly how their quarterback room in Tampa Bay is shaking out right before the real games even kick off. Every decision this time of year matters, and this one? It speaks volumes.

The QB Room Shuffle Is Slam-Dunk Done

What this move means for the Bucs is crystal clear, no ifs, ands, or buts: rookie Jalon Daniels absolutely won that fight for the No. 2 quarterback job. This kid made a real statement. Daniels was the one starting Tampa’s final preseason game, proving he made a serious push and impressed the coaches like crazy this summer. He was already ahead of Bazelak on the depth chart, but with Bazelak officially waived, Daniels has completely solidified his spot right there behind Baker Mayfield. Jake Browning is still on the roster too, holding down that third spot. Honestly, getting this kind of decisive clarity at quarterback this early, before the regular season even fires up, can be a massive deal for a team trying to find its groove. No lingering questions, no awkward competition hanging over their heads. Just focus, baby.

Beyond the Signal Caller, The Roster Takes Battle Shape

But hey, we all know it’s never just about the quarterbacks, right? The general manager’s phone is practically melting down to hit that looming Sunday afternoon deadline for the 53-player limit. The Bucs are also waiving a bunch of other guys who poured their hearts out and fought hard all summer long, trying to earn a spot. We’re talking running back Barika Kpeenu, tight end Kenny Fletcher, guard Nash Hutmacher, defensive tackle Travis Shaw, and linebacker John Bullock. These are the tough calls, the absolutely necessary ones every single team has to make. It’s all about trying to find that perfect, battle-hardened blend of talent, specific skills, and raw depth for the brutal, unforgiving grind of the season ahead. You gotta respect the grind, but man, it’s gotta be a gut punch for a lot of those players today.

So, yeah, the Bucs are tightening things up, getting their squad absolutely battle-ready. The picture in Tampa is definitely clearer now that the axe has fallen. And hey, while we’re talking about NFL chaos, did you catch the wild news about our own Seahawks owner? Khosla apparently just dropped a bomb, saying he’s a Steelers fan. Like, seriously? What even is that? Talk about a head-scratcher for the 12s. And speaking of our Hawks, they just played to a freaking 9-9 tie with the Kansas City Chiefs. A tie game! Can you even believe it? The NFL is already throwing wild curveballs left and right, and the regular season hasn’t even *fully* started yet. Get ready, folks, because it’s gonna be a wild, wild ride!

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.

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