Matt Harmon provides his instant fantasy takeaways from the TNF showdown between the Panthers and Packers. Then, Josh Norris joins Harmon for our Week 8 preview pod. Norris identifies the six most pressing fantasy questions we want answered in Week 8 and Harmon reveals the 3 'sicko' games he's paying attention to for fantasy. The two end the show taking your mailbag questions about the biggest dilemmas you face in your lineup heading into the weekend.

(3:15) TNF Solo Night Cap: Packers 27, Panthers 19

(29:45) - Fantasy question 1 for Week 8: Will Seahawks shutdown Bears offense?

(44:45) - Fantasy question 2 for Week 8: Will Vikings shutdown Lions offense?

(52:15) - Fantasy question 3 for Week 8: Can Penix keep surging against Bucs D?

(58:00) - Fantasy question 4 for Week 8: Can Browns offense keep rolling vs. Steelers?

(1:04:45) - Fantasy question 5 for Week 8: Which player explodes in second half of fantasy season?

(1:09:15) - Fantasy question 6 for Week 8: How will Commanders replace McLaurin?

(1:17:30) - Harmon's game of the week: Eagles vs. Commanders

(1:26:30) - Harmon's game of the week: ****** ans vs. Bengals

(1:33:00) - Harmon's game of the week: Chargers vs. Rams

(1:41:45) - Fantasy Mailbag: What is your biggest fantasy dilemma in Week 8?

(1:42:10) - D'Andre Swift or Jeremiyah Love?

(1:46:30) - KC Concepcion or Carnell Tate?

(1:48:30) - Jordan Addison or Jonah Coleman?

(1:50:40) - Rhamondre Stevenson or Luther Burden?

(1:52:35) - What do we do with Ladd McConkey?

(1:55:40) - Caleb Williams, Geno Smith or Kyler Murray?

(1:57:00) - Sleeper TE this week?
CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 04: Bhayshul Tuten #33 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at Paycor Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube
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#week #question

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Germie Bernard caught 11 of 12 targets for 87 yards with a touchdown in a Week 6 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Bucs.
SOURCE: USA TODAY
Why it matters: Bernard's first NFL touchdown with 3:15 left in OT gave Pittsburgh the lead. Bernard was a bright spot in preseason camp and has shown his ability the last two weeks; he had six catches for 80 yards last week against Indianapolis. With WR Michael Pittman on IR, Bernard should be considered as a WR4/Flex option with WR3 potential.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Germie Bernard torches Tampa Bay for 11 catches in Week 6

#bernard #week #yards #catches

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth caught two of three targets for 11 yards in a Week 6 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Bucs.
SOURCE: USA TODAY
Why It Matters: This was Freiermuth's fewest targets all season, as fellow TE Darnell Washington had six targets, four receptions and a score. One has to wonder if his late addition to the injury report with a calf issue had something to do with his meager production. That said, Freiermuth has four touchdowns this year and is still a TE2 option, especially with the receiving corps as beat up as it is. ****** uming he is injury-free next week, Freiermuth warrants low-end TE1 consideration against the Saints.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Slow day at the office for Pat Freiermuth in Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay

#freiermuth

Steelers fans overwhelmed Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, boosting the road team's effort to overcome a 13-0 halftime deficit and a 16-3 fourth-quarter deficit.
Tackle Tristan Wirfs isn't upset with Buccaneers fans for the lack of in-person support.
"Can you blame them?" Wirfs said, via JoeBucsFan.com. "You know, we're 1-4 and haven't really given them much to cheer about.
"So, yeah, it sucks. It sucks when you're going ****** near silent count at home. But you've got to give [fans] something to cheer for."
The Bucs are now 1-5. And the fans didn't have much to cheer for on Sunday, as the double-digit margin melted into a loss.

#deficit #steelers #james

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers walked away from Cincinnati with plenty to be frustrated about following their 33-27 loss to the Bengals. The good news is that it didn't cost them any ground in the NFC South.
That's because **** ody in the division won.
Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans all dropped their season openers, leaving the entire NFC South at 0-1 entering Week 2. It's obviously far too early for the standings to mean much, but the Bucs escaped a rough opener without falling behind any of their division rivals.
NFC South
W

#tampa #atlanta

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed enough in their 33-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals to feel like they could have won. Instead, four lost fumbles, shaky pass protection, and defensive issues underneath turned a competitive performance into a 0-1 start.
Tampa Bay finished with 282 total yards, converted five of 10 third downs, and never punted. The Bucs also fought back from a 21-3 deficit and had the game within six points late, but the turnovers kept Cincinnati in control.
Here are the Buccaneers' Week 1 grades by position.
Baker Mayfield's game was almost a perfect reflection of Tampa Bay's afternoon. He completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards without an interception, added 30 rushing yards, and scored on a nine-yard run in the fourth quarter.
The number one problem for Mayfield was ball security. Mayfield fumbled three times and lost all three of them. One was returned 27 yards for a touchdown, another went through the end zone for a touchback near the goal line, and the third came on a fourth-quarter strip-sack while Tampa Bay was trying to complete its comeback.There is some living and dying by the sword with Mayfield. Part of what makes him unique is his willingness to fight through contact, extend plays, and create something when a play looks dead. When it works, everyone loves it. When it ends with the football on the ground, it looks reckless. Against Cincinnati, he pushed that line much too far.

#yards #lost #game

Josiah Trotter didn't waste any time introducing himself to the pros.
In his NFL debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, the former Missouri football middle linebacker recorded a sack and a pick six. He intercepted Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.
According to Greg Auman at FOXSports, Trotter is the first player in NFL history with a sack and pick six in their NFL debut.
Tampa Bay's communications department later added that Trotter is the first player to record a sack, an interception and five or more tackles in their debut since four-time All-Pro TJ Watt in 2017.
The Bucs lost 33-27 to the Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati. Trotter led Tampa Bay's defense with 11 total tackles.

#player

NFL action is on hiatus until Sunday, when Week 1 resumes with a hefty slate of games.
Here's how to watch, the 2026 NFL schedule, start times, and more.
There are no NFL games scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts: 1 p.m. ET | CBS | Paramount+ | Ravens TV | Colts TV | box score
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals: 1 p.m. ET FOX | Bucs TV | Bengals TV | box score

#colts #games #week #baltimore

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 season with plenty of uncertainty, and our staff predictions reflect it.
Tampa Bay finished 8-9 in 2025 after a 6-2 start, losing seven of its final nine games and missing out on the NFC South ******* le through a tiebreaker. The Bucs scored 380 points but allowed 411, finished 3-3 inside the division and went just 1-4 over their final five games.
There is reason for optimism, particularly after Baker Mayfield signed an extension that gives Tampa Bay stability at quarterback. Mayfield has become the unquestioned leader of the offense and gives the Bucs a proven veteran to build around. But much of that optimism could disappear quickly if the defensive backfield struggles. Questions in the secondary remain one of the team's biggest concerns, and against a schedule featuring several dangerous passing attacks, breakdowns on the back end could turn winnable games into losses.
That makes the range of predictions from our staff interesting. Evan has the Bucs finishing 8-9, an exact repeat of last season. Mike sees a slight improvement at 9-8, while Will is the most optimistic of the group at 10-7. I'm on the other end, predicting a 7-10 finish.
Collectively, that puts our average prediction at exactly 8.5 wins and 8.5 losses — essentially a .500 football team.

#bucs #staff

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — ETSU football got back in the win column Saturday, but head coach Will Healy knows there is still plenty to clean up as the Buccaneers prepare for their first road test of the season.
The Bucs evened their record at 1-1 with a 48-14 win over Tusculum, finishing with 259 passing yards and 225 yards on the ground. Freshman quarterback Mason Mims completed 13 of 21 passes, while running back TJ Peyton rushed for a career-high 121 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
Despite the lopsided victory, Healy said lapses in execution remain a concern.
"We have explosive ability in all three phases, but we are not near consistent enough," Healy said. "We have mental lapses that are going to get us beat, lapses that got us beat a week ago."
That Week 1 loss to Campbell left a "bitter taste" for the Bucs, according to linebacker Jarvis Johnson. ETSU responded by putting an emphasis on discipline and preparation against Tusculum.

#yards #lapses #etsu #beat

Coco Gauff marched into the fourth round of the US Open but compatriots Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys exited on a mixed day for home hopes in New York.
Gauff, the most recent American champion in New York in 2023, did not have things all her own way but maintained her bid for a second triumph by overcoming Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-3 6-4.
However, Keys said she felt "scared" as she slumped to defeat despite leading her third set against China's Zheng Qinwen 5-0, while last year's runner-up Anisimova lost in straight sets.
But there still will be five American women in the last 16, with teenager Iva Jovic winning later on Saturday to join Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend and Emma Navarro.
American players could also contest five of the eight fourth-round matches in the men's draw, with Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul and Alex Michelsen through - and Learner Tien still to play.

#gauff #keys #round #last

Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday, turning back Spain's Cristina Bucsa in straight sets.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, topped the 40th ranked Spaniard 6-3 6-4 in 88 minutes, charging the net on match point and sealing the victory when Bucsa's lob sailed long.
"She's a tricky player, so it's tough to get rhythm," Gauff said of the Spaniard. "Happy with how I fought through even when I wasn't playing my best."
Gauff, who is on a nine-match winning streak after triumphing in the Cincinnati warmup tournament, will next play either rising American Iva Jovic or Alex Eala of the Philippines.
In a largely baseline battle both Gauff and Bucsa made effective forays to the net and dug in defensively to extend the rallies with difficult retrievals that enthralled the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

#bucsa

Jalon Daniels entered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offseason program as an undrafted rookie simply trying to earn a place in the organization. A few months later, he will open the regular season one play away from being Tampa Bay's starting quarterback, and that unlikely rise has certainly caught the attention of general manager Jason Licht.
Speaking with NFL Network's Sara Walsh, Licht summed up Daniels' path to becoming Baker Mayfield's backup with some significant praise. "There's no blueprint for an undrafted rookie becoming your number 2 quarterback," Licht told Walsh. "Jalon basically wrote his own." That statement carries even more weight given how rare Daniels' situation is. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the last undrafted rookie quarterback to be active for Week 1 was Trevone Boykin with the Seattle Seahawks in 2016. Daniels didn't simply survive roster cuts, either. He beat out veteran Jake Browning for the job and convinced Tampa Bay it could enter the season with only two quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster.
Licht has made it clear that Daniels' draft status won't prevent him from winning the job. "The number-one thing is, he earned it," Licht said. "It wasn't just given to him."Daniels steadily climbed throughout the summer, but his preseason performance helped solidify his case. He completed 27 of 44 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions while adding 37 yards and another touchdown on the ground. More importantly, Tampa Bay saw poise and command from a quarterback who was supposed to be a developmental project. The Bucs apparently began viewing Daniels differently after their first preseason game against the Jets. Licht said conversations shifted from Daniels needing to prove he could be the backup to essentially needing to prove that he couldn't. He never gave them a reason to change course. There is still considerable risk involved. Daniels has never taken a regular-season NFL snap, and Tampa Bay is trying to contend for another NFC South ****** le. If Mayfield misses time, the Bucs would be handing their offense to an undrafted rookie. Yet Licht doesn't appear interested in keeping a veteran around simply for the comfort of experience. He said Tampa Bay would rather have a talented, prepared, inexperienced quarterback than choose experience just for the sake of it. The Bucs aren't treating him like an undrafted rookie they hope to develop eventually. They've trusted him with one of the most important backup jobs on the roster because they believe he earned it.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Jason Licht's praise shows just how much Jalon Daniels impressed

#daniels #bucs #jalon #simply

Once again, Nick Caserio made another under the radar, savvy move to bolder the roster.
Chris Braswell was a five-star recruit out of high school but had to wait his turn behind a star-star-studed Alabama roster. Braswell replaced Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama as the Jack linebacker in their 3-4 front and didn't disappoint. His impressive eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss were second on the team behind Dallas Turner who went 17th overall to the Vikings in 2024.
He was a redshirt junior when he entered the draft after only one year of true production at Alabama. The NFL Stock Exchange podcast had him rated as the fourth and sixth defensive end in the 2024 class. They noted "how raw of a player" he was and that he is built exceptionally well, but lacked a "pass rush plan" and could only rush with power. A 'toolsy" prospect with an Alabama pedigree, NFL stars have been made of much worse material.
Peering back into my own draft ****** ysis from 2o24, I noted that his pass rush ability was "simple" rather than nuanced. It didn't shine off the tape like his counterpart Turner did. I thought he set the edge well, was asked to contain, but wasn't the money-maker on defense. He would go on to be selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round.
The limitations mentioned came true. His lack of a plan and limited bag of tricks made him easy to predict in the pass rush. At 6'3", 250 pounds, he's a thick and powerful edge but never earned a start in two seasons with Tampa Bay. A lack of production immediately soured his relationship with the coaching staff. It's not as though the Bucs were great at rushing the passer either, Yaya Diaby led the team with seven sacks. His ineffectiveness lead to the team selecting Ruben Bain in the first round of this year's draft.

#alabama #made #star

Mainland offensive lineman Chevin Davis' suspension appeal was denied by the Florida High School Athletic ***** ociation on Sept. 2, head coach Jerrime Bell confirmed in a text message to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Davis was ejected from the Buccaneers' opener against Carol City on Aug. 21 when Chiefs defensive tackle Michael Williams Jr. suplexed Mainland quarterback PJ Miller well after the ball had left his hands for a third-quarter incompletion. Davis came to Miller's aid and ***** ped Williams to the ground. He did so a second time when he saw Miller still down a few seconds later.
According to Bell, he was told on the field Davis was ejected for shoving Williams to the ground and standing over him. That was changed to "an open-hand slap or blow" in the official report, per Bell.
Section 30.2.1.1 of the FHSAA handbook states an ejected athlete is ineligible to compete for the remainder of that contest and a minimum of the next game. It can be appealed, as the Bucs did in Davis' case, and the FHSAA can reverse, modify or uphold the suspension.
It is getting chippy out here pic.twitter.com/qQtuD9weO5

#williams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent much of the offseason searching for more depth at cornerback, and they found it by bringing back a familiar face. Former Buccaneers cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting is returning to Tampa Bay on the practice squad, with an opportunity to work his way onto the 53-man roster. The reunion comes after the Arizona Cardinals released the 29-year-old, who missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from a torn ACL.
For Tampa Bay, the move is about more than simply adding another body to the secondary. Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish enter the season as the projected starters on the outside, while Benjamin Morrison, Ayden Garnes and rookie Keionte Scott round out a young cornerback room. The Buccaneers kept only five corners on their initial 53man roster, making experienced depth one of the obvious areas that still needed to be addressed. Murphy-Bunting has 65 career starts and already knows Todd Bowles' defense from his first four seasons in Tampa Bay. He was also at his best during the Buccaneers' 2020 Super Bowl run, recording an interception in each of Tampa Bay's first three playoff games. His versatility could be just as important. Murphy-Bunting has experience playing both outside and in the slot, giving Bowles another option if injuries hit or one of Tampa Bay's younger corners struggles.
Scott has an opportunity to establish himself in the slot, while Morrison and Garnes are still trying to carve out consistent roles. There is still some uncertainty surrounding what Murphy-Bunting can provide after missing an entire season with a significant knee injury. At 29, Tampa Bay isn't necessarily getting the same player who helped the franchise win Super Bowl LV, but this time they don't need him to be. If Murphy-Bunting proves he is healthy, the Buccaneers now have an experienced corner who can step into multiple roles without having to learn Bowles' defense from scratch. For a secondary relying heavily on young players its insurance and it could make the competition at cornerback much more interesting as the regular season begins.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Sean Murphy-Bunting returns to Buccaneers

#tampa #bunting #bowles #sean

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the offseason determined to create more competition and depth along the edge. After watching Jack Pyburn throughout the preseason, they may eventually wonder whether they let one of their more intriguing young pass rushers get away too soon.
Tampa Bay waived Pyburn as part of its final roster cuts despite the undrafted rookie putting together one of the strongest preseasons on the team. Pyburn finished with four sacks, including two against the New York Jets and another two in the preseason finale against Jacksonville. His four sacks were tied for the most among edge defenders during the preseason. A numbers problem was always going to exist. The Buccaneers spent significant resources rebuilding the position, adding first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. and veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad to a group that already included Yaya Diaby, David Walker and Anthony Nelson. With only so many roster spots available, Tampa Bay was eventually going to have to make a difficult decision. The gamble was likely that he would clear waivers and potentially remain available to the organization. Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs claimed him almost immediately, placing Pyburn on their 53-man roster and preventing Tampa Bay from bringing him back.
Preseason sacks don't automatically translate to the regular season, and Pyburn was often working against backups. Still, he did exactly what a young player is supposed to do with limited opportunities. Todd Bowles praised his work ethic and production after his two sack performance against New York, noting that Pyburn had taken advantage of the opportunities he received despite being buried behind a deep group of edge rushers, as Pyburn has a 21.4 percent pass rush productivity rate on true pass sets and a 23.8 percent win rate during the preseason.
The Buccaneers couldn't keep every promising edge defender, and their revamped group should be significantly deeper than it was a year ago. But if injuries strike or Pyburn develops into a contributor for Kansas City, this move will become much harder to defend. Tampa Bay spent the offseason searching for young players who could get after the quarterback. Pyburn showed legitimate signs of being one of them, and now the Buccaneers won't get the chance to find out what he could have become in their defense.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Did the Buccaneers make a mistake by waiving Jack Pyburn?

#buccaneers #preseason #sacks

The Buccaneers accomplished one of their biggest goals of the preseason by getting to Week 1 without exposing most of their key players to unnecessary snaps. Whether they got enough work to be ready for the regular season is a different question. Todd Bowles took a cautious approach throughout August, sitting most of his starters against the Jets before giving them limited work against Kansas City. They were back on the sideline for the preseason finale against Jacksonville.
For Baker Mayfield, that meant just two drives and four pass attempts during the entire preseason. Mayfield completed two of four passes for 10 yards against Kansas City, with Tampa Bay gaining just nine net yards and one first down during his two possessions. Bucky Irving notched 14 yards on three carries, but the first team offense never found much of a rhythm and failed to score before Mayfield's night ended. The limited production was easy to explain. Tristan Wirfs wasn't playing, Tampa Bay was without nearly all of their starting receivers, and the offense wasn't going to show much of Zac Robinson's scheme in a preseason game. Still, it was the only opportunity to see Mayfield and most of the starting offense against another team before the games begin to count.
With a strictly backup approach, Tampa Bay closed August with an ugly 19-0 loss to Jacksonville. The Bucs managed only 120 total yards, six first downs and 1.9 yards per play. They went 2-for-12 on third down and punted 10 times. Bowles acknowledged afterward that the offense simply wasn't good enough. Mayfield hasn't played meaningful football since last season, and this was his first preseason action in two years. The Bucs are also adjusting to Robinson's offense, which makes the lack of live repetitions together more noticeable. Some also argue Bowles made the right decision. Tampa Bay has dealt with enough injuries over the past year to understand the importance of entering the season healthy. Training camp and joint practices provide competitive work without subjecting starters to "practice" games. If Tampa Bay's offense looks sharp immediately, **** ody will care that Mayfield threw four passes in August. But if the Bucs open the season with stalled drives, their limited preseason work will stir quite the conversation about Bowles' preparation after a disastrous end to last season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Could Buccaneers' decision to sit starters come back to haunt them?

#mayfield #season #yards

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their initial 53-man roster in place.
After trimming the roster throughout the week, Tampa Bay finalized its first regular-season group ahead of Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs kept two quarterbacks, six wide receivers and 10 offensive linemen on offense, while the defense features a young group that includes first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter and Benjamin Morrison.
Here is the Buccaneers' initial 53-man roster, broken down by position:
Jalon Daniels
Baker Mayfield

#roster #initial #first

Josiah Trotter finished the preseason with an 80.5 defensive grade, the fourth highest among rookie linebackers who played at least 20 snaps. Only Ohio State's Arvell Reese, LSU's Harold Perkins Jr. and Texas Tech's Jack Kelly finished ahead of him.
Against the Jets, Trotter played just 15 defensive snaps but earned an 82.4 PFF grade. He finished with three total tackles without being charged with a missed tackle and earned a 78.1 run defense grade. Trotter attacked downhill, forced runners to change direction, and held up when asked to cover tight ends and running backs. There wasn't much concern about Trotter's ability against the run coming out of Missouri, as he earned an 89.3 run defense grade during his final college season and built his reputation around his instincts and willingness to attack gaps. Coverage was the bigger question after he posted grades below 50 in that area during each of his final two college seasons, but those concerns haven't prevented the Bucs from giving him opportunities.
Trotter started alongside Alex Anzalone when Tampa Bay played its first team defense against Kansas City, another indication that the competition with SirVocea Dennis for a starting role has been legitimate. The rookie has also talked about how quickly the game has started to slow down for him as he's gotten more comfortable in Todd Bowles' defense. Trotter has looked capable of handling more than just early down run defense, which could make it easier for Bowles to declare him a starter come regular season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Josiah Trotter quietly puts together impressive preseason

#played

The NFL's roster cutdown has put a new group of players on the open market, giving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a chance to make late additions before Week 1.
Tampa Bay has already made its own difficult decisions to reach the 53-man limit, but that doesn't mean the roster is set in stone. Players who clear waivers can begin signing with practice squads, while released veterans are free to negotiate with any team. As practice squads take shape, the Bucs should keep an eye on players who could strengthen the roster or add depth.
Position
Player
CB

#practice #buccaneers #week #bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are continuing to trim their roster ahead of Sunday's deadline to reach the NFL-mandated 53 players.
According to FOX Sports' Greg Auman, Tampa Bay has now made 20 cuts. The group includes quarterbacks Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak, running back Barika Kpeenu, wide receivers Dean Patterson, Eric Rivers and Jha'Quan Jackson, tight ends Devin Culp and Kenny Fletcher, guards Elijah Klein and Nash Hutmacher, and tackle Marshall Foerner.
Defensively, the Bucs have moved on from defensive linemen Jayson Jones, Josiah Green and Travis Shaw, outside linebacker Yasir Holmes, inside linebackers Nick Jackson and John Bullock, and safety Rashad Wisdom.
Tampa Bay also waived kicker B.T. Potter and long snapper Scott Daly.
The most notable move is Browning, whose departure cleared the way for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to serve as Baker Mayfield's backup quarterback. More moves are expected before the 6 p.m. ET deadline as the Buccaneers finalize their initial 53-man roster for the regular season.

#roster

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear prepared for an undrafted free agent to back up QB Baker Mayfield.
The Bucs have released backup Jake Browning, who was signed early in free agency this offseason to be Mayfield's backup. That means undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels, who has impressed all summer, is currently the QB2 behind Mayfield.
The 6-foot, 208-pound Daniels, who played six years in college at Kansas, completed 27-of-44 passes for 239 yards and a TD pass, also rushing 14 times for 37 yards and one more score in three preseason games this summer. He was especially sharp in the first two exhibitions, helping spark second-half comebacks against the Jets and Chiefs.
Daniels might have initially been viewed as a longer-term project, but he started impressing the coaches as early as OTAs and minicamps, and he earned praise from the Bucs coaches for his off-schedule playmaking and quick recognition skills, which earned him QB2 reps in camp. Even with a shakier effort in the third preseason game, losing a fumble and completing 8-of-15 passes for 57 yards, the Bucs have been impressed with the rookie.
The Bucs still could look to add a veteran quarterback, with several expected to be released on cutdown day. But for now, Daniels is the next man up. Tampa Bay opens the season at the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.

#tampa #mayfield #agent

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered their preseason finale with several roster spots and position battles still to sort out. Their 19-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars may have provided some answers, although not necessarily the ones Tampa Bay wanted. The Buccaneers finished with only 120 total yards, went 2 of 12 on third down and failed to score. Still, there were a few positives buried inside an otherwise difficult night.
If anyone helped themselves Friday night, it was Jack Pyburn. The rookie edge rusher finished with two sacks and three tackles for loss, consistently finding his way into Jacksonville's backfield. Tampa Bay's defensive front produced most of the team's bright spots, finishing with four sacks as Anthony Nelson and Josiah Green also got to the quarterback. Pyburn's performance was especially important as final roster decisions approach. Tampa Bay has spent the offseason rebuilding its front seven, and his ability to provide energy and production off the edge gives the coaching staff something to consider as they build the final 53. Pyburn has certainly played himself into a position where the coaching staff has to find him a spot.
Jalon Daniels had arguably his biggest opportunity of the preseason after being given the start, but he wasn't able to capitalize on it. Daniels completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 yards while taking three sacks and losing a botched snap, a glaring issue over the preseason. After helping lead comeback victories in Tampa Bay's first two preseason games, Daniels struggled to generate anything consistently against Jacksonville. He wasn't helped by his receivers, either. Dean Patterson IV and Kameron Johnson dropped third-down passes early, while Garrett Greene also failed to secure a catchable ball. Daniels' previous performances showed why Tampa Bay has been intrigued by the undrafted rookie, but Friday reminded everyone he remains a developmental quarterback. If there was a legitimate opportunity to overtake Jake Browning for the backup job behind Baker Mayfield, the finale did not do anything to solidify his case.
There isn't much positive to say about an offense that finishes with 87 yards and zero points. Tampa Bay punted on six of its first seven possessions and struggled to protect its quarterbacks, sustain drives or establish the running game. The Buccaneers didn't record a single first down in the second half as Jacksonville's defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage. The offensive line remained a major issue, and receivers failed to come down with the ball. Then came the special teams breakdown that put an exclamation point on the night. Michael Wortham returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, extending Jacksonville's lead to 19-0 and turning an already frustrating night into a nightmare final score.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The good, the bad and the ugly from Buccaneers' 19-0 loss to Jaguars

#night

Quarterback Connor Bazelak fell behind rookie Jalon Daniels on the Buccaneers' depth chart this offseason and he's now off the roster altogether.
Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports that Bazelak is being waived as part of the team's moves to get to the 53-player limit by Sunday afternoon's deadline.
Daniels started the Bucs' final preseason game after making a push for the No. 2 job behind Baker Mayfield this summer. Jake Browning is the other quarterback on the roster in Tampa.
Auman reports that the Bucs are also waiving running back Barika Kpeenu, tight end Kenny Fletcher, guard Nash Hutmacher, defensive tackle Travis Shaw, and linebacker John Bullock.

#bazelak #daniels #auman #reports

In their final preseason game, the Buccaneers were blanked by the Jacksonville Jaguars 0-19, capping off what was otherwise a solid preseason for Tampa Bay. The Bucs were disappointing, especially on offense, which couldn't get anything going regardless of who was under center, and on special teams, which reverted to old bad habits. The defense largely held up its end thanks to another great night of pass rush and secondary play. A solid defensive effort went for naught thanks to the offensive implosion, which likely saw the end of Jalon Daniels' hopes to be Baker Mayfield's primary backup.
Here are the studs and duds from the Bucs' preseason finale loss to the Jaguars:
By all appearances, Jalon Daniels was auditioning for the rare third quarterback spot on the Bucs' 53-man roster. Unfortunately for him, it went almost as badly as it could have against the Jaguars. Daniels was sharp early, but his receivers were anything but. Then came the fumbled snap in the second quarter, a problem that carried over from last week's matchup against the Chiefs.
Daniels then took three sacks, three more than in any previous preseason game. He finished with just eight completions on 15 attempts and just 57 pass yards. While Daniels remains the Bucs' most dynamic quarterback from the preseason, it is unlikely he did enough to prove himself reliable enough to overtake Jake Browning as QB2.
One of Tampa Bay's few highlights was the play of its outside linebackers, who frustrated the Jaguars' offense all night. David Walker was unstoppable once again, winning a third of his pass rushes per PFF. Anthony Nelson continued his productive preseason, recording a sack and a quarterback hit. Jack Pyburn played like someone who did not plan on playing for LSU this year, leading the team with two sacks, three tackles for a loss and two quarterback hits. Tampa Bay's edge rush looks much improved from last year heading into this season.

#jaguars #quarterback #pass

Chris Braswell entered the NFL as a second-round pick expected to eventually become an important piece of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' pass rush. Two years later, the former Alabama standout could be fighting to keep his place on the roster.
Pro Football Focus included Braswell among 10 NFL players currently on the roster bubble ahead of the 53-man cutdown deadline. PFF pointed to both his limited production and Tampa Bay's improved depth at edge rusher as reasons his future with the team has become uncertain. Through his first two seasons, Braswell has played just 618 defensive snaps. He has generated 35 pressures on 322 pass rushing opportunities while earning a 61.0 overall PFF grade. Those numbers haven't provided the type of development the Buccaneers hoped to see after selecting him 57th overall in 2024.
The Buccaneers selected Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round this year and signed veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad, adding two more options to a room already featuring Yaya Diaby. Not to mention tenured man Anthony Nelson has also made a strong case this preseason with a 92.6 overall PFF grade, while David Walker, who missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, has already shown more in one preseason than Braswell has in two years having earned an 80.5 pass rush grade. Meanwhile, Braswell earned a 34.4 overall PFF grade in the opener before missing Tampa Bay's second preseason game. In the chances he has had, Braswell has consistently been swallowed by offensive tackles and shown little to no juice in comparison to the others in the OLB room. In fact, he recorded no stats against the New York Jets.
Moving on from a former second-round pick after only two seasons wouldn't be an easy decision, especially since Braswell is still entering his third year and remains on a cheap rookie deal, but draft status can only provide security for so long when other players are producing. Braswell should have one final opportunity against Jacksonville to show why Tampa Bay should continue investing in his development.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Chris Braswell makes PPF's roster bubble list

#buccaneers #overall #preseason

Training camp practices have now wrapped up for the Jacksonville Jaguars. All that remains is the preseason finale on Friday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Then on Sunday, it's roster cutdown day. By 6:00 PM ET, GM James Gladstone must whittle his roster down to just 53 players.
The final preseason game presents several players who are on the roster bubble one last opportunity to give their stock a boost.
Here is how you can watch this matchup.
Stream Jaguars v. Bucs (free trial)

#roster #training

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers left their first joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars knowing their effort wasn't good enough. Tuesday's practice was one of Tampa Bay's roughest sessions of the summer. The offense struggled to consistently move the ball, Jacksonville controlled stretches on both sides and, perhaps most concerning, the Buccaneers lacked the energy and physicality they had shown throughout camp.
Baker Mayfield admitted afterward that Jacksonville was the more physical team, while Josiah Trotter Jr. acknowledged that Tampa Bay's energy and body language weren't up to the standard the defense expects. Chris Godwin Jr was similarly critical, saying the Bucs have to create their own energy when playing on the road and respond better when things start going wrong. The second practice was lighter and conducted without full pads, with most of the competitive work coming during seven on seven periods before the teams separated for walkthroughs. Still, Tampa Bay played with noticeably more tempo and made the most of the opportunities it had against Jacksonville, and the defense provided the biggest response.
Trotter intercepted Trevor Lawrence in the red zone after recognizing a wheel route, and undrafted rookie Ayden Garnes followed with another interception. Benjamin Morrison and Keionte Scott also recorded pass breakups as Tampa Bay's young secondary consistently challenged Jacksonville's passing game. The offense looked sharper as well. Mayfield connected with Tez Johnson, Kenny Gainwell and Ted Hurst III for touchdowns during red zone work. Hurst continued his impressive week by beating Travis Hunter for another score after having success against him during Tuesday's practice. Todd Bowles still wasn't completely satisfied. He called the offense rusty over the two days and noted that the defense had mental mistakes that need to be corrected. But he also felt the Bucs got the mental work they needed from the trip. Tampa Bay was challenged after looking flat and getting outplayed Tuesday. Rather than carrying that performance into the final day of camp, the Bucs returned with better energy and execution.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers respond with bounce back day against Jaguars

#buccaneers

Kameron Johnson gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers another encouraging look at what he can bring to the return game Saturday night, showing the type of burst and explosiveness that can make him a difference-maker throughout the 2026 season. Johnson had one kickoff return against the Kansas City Chiefs, taking it 20 yards to the Kansas City 31-yard line and giving Tampa Bay solid starting field position. He also added two punt returns for 24 yards.
The numbers weren't overwhelming, but the flashes were there. Johnson looked decisive with the football in his hands and showed the ability to get north quickly rather than spending too much time searching for an opening. In 2025, he averaged 25.4 yards on 27 kickoff returns and 11.2 yards on 26 punt returns. He also produced Tampa Bay's two longest kick returns of the season, going for 37 and 44 yards, while earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
His work against Kansas City was also encouraging because of his offensive contributions. Johnson caught four passes for 56 yards, including a 22-yard reception, while showing that his ability with the ball isn't limited to special teams. He was involved early, catching an 11-yard pass from Jake Browning before later hauling in a 22-yard completion in the third quarter. That combination could make Johnson particularly useful for Tampa Bay. His primary job is returning kicks and punts, but if he continues showing that kind of ability as a receiver, the Buccaneers have another way to get him involved without asking him to become a major part of the offense. If Johnson can consistently turn returns into positive field position while making occasional plays on offense, his value to the Buccaneers could extend well beyond what the traditional returner role offers.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Kameron Johnson shows flashes of something special at kick returner

#johnson #yards #yard