Jake Browning, who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed early in free agency to back up Baker Mayfield, is officially out. That’s right, Browning was released, and now undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels, who has been turning heads all summer, is the current QB2 behind Mayfield. It’s a shocking move considering the Bucs guaranteed Browning $400,000 at signing.
Daniels’ Impressive Rise Leaves Tampa Bay Buzzing
This isn’t just some casual promotion; Daniels earned this spot. The kid, a 6-foot, 208-pound dual-threat who played six years in college at Kansas, absolutely balled out in the preseason. He completed 27-of-44 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown toss, plus he scrambled 14 times for 37 yards and another score in just three games. He was straight-up ELECTRIC in the first two exhibitions, orchestrating second-half comebacks against both the Jets and the Chiefs. Yeah, his college career had scouts worried about accuracy and consistency, but Daniels started impressing Bucs coaches as early as OTAs and minicamps. They loved his off-schedule playmaking and quick recognition skills, which quickly got him QB2 reps. Even a shakier third preseason game, where he lost a fumble and completed 8-of-15 for 57 yards, couldn’t dim the team’s faith. The Bucs are clearly impressed, betting on the rookie’s raw talent right now.
Browning’s Departure and Mayfield’s Looming Contract Battle
So, what about Browning? The 30-year-old had spent the previous five seasons backing up Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, starting 10 career games. Despite the guaranteed money, he’s out, though a return to the practice squad as the third QB is possible if he clears waivers. This whole QB2 situation gets even spicier when you look at Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has played all three of his seasons in Tampa without missing a single game. But here’s the kicker: he’s in the final year of his contract and is openly at odds with the Bucs over a future extension, saying he’s ended negotiations until after the season. This makes Daniels’ elevation even more critical.
The Bucs kick off their season at the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. With Baker’s contract situation unresolved and an undrafted rookie as the next man up, you know all eyes will be on that sideline. This isn’t just about a backup spot anymore; it’s about the future.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply