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Last Friday, we saw an undrafted rookie quarterback out of Kansas make his NFL debut against the New York Jets. That rookie quarterback, Jalon Daniels, entered the game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half, the team trailing 13-10. Tampa Bay would go on to win 24-16, and it was Daniels who sparked the comeback.

That night, Pewter Report began discussing the possibility of Daniels overtaking Connor Bazelak as QB3 for the Buccaneers. The idea of the Buccaneers being able to pull off Daniels passing through waivers to land back on the practice squad now seemed impossible.

Now just over a week later, we’re having an entirely different discussion. Forget the QB3 “competition” — it’s done, finished, never to be spoken of again — Daniels has soundly defeated Bazelak, who did not feature in Tampa Bay’s 16-15 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night.

Jalon Daniels Has A Case To Be Bucs’ QB2 Behind Baker Mayfield

So, goodbye QB3 and hello QB2.

Yes, it’s time to have that discussion about Jalon Daniels.

It’s no longer “too early in the process,” as two preseason games are in the books and the 53-man roster cutdown is rapidly approaching next Sunday.

The Buccaneers signed veteran signal caller Jake Browning earlier this offseason with the idea being that he would be the backup to Baker Mayfield. In fact, Browning was to be unchallenged by any other quarterback on the roster. But with Browning sitting out of the preseason opener with a back injury and after what we’ve seen from Daniels in 60 minutes of action across two exhibitions, make no mistake about it, Browning is being challenged by Daniels.

Bucs QB Jake Browning – Photo by IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Daniels entered the game in the third quarter against Kansas City, Tampa Bay trailing 9-0 and showing zero life on offense. Browning, when he had time, did make some quality throws, finishing 8-of-11 for 84 yards. But, ultimately, Browning led the offense to a trio of punts and a turnover on downs just before the end of the first half.

Daniels, meanwhile, wasted no time in helping turn the tide. He immediately led the Bucs on a seven-play, 49-yard scoring drive in the third quarter, capped off by a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ko Kieft. On that play, Daniels rolled out to his right and fired a dart into the hands of a diving Kieft. Daniels has showcased his ability to throw across his body since becoming a Buccaneer, and it’s his superior arm strength which allows him to make those throws.

Jalon Daniels Electrified The Crowd At Raymond James Stadium

Jalon Daniels electrified a Raymond James Stadium crowd which, up to that point, hadn’t been given a reason to make any noise. But he also electrified a Buccaneers offense which looked lifeless with Browning under center.

Sure, Tampa Bay’s offensive line didn’t give Browning much of a fighting chance on a handful of plays, and he took quite the beating on more than a few occasions, getting sacked three times. But it wasn’t like Daniels received adequate blocking in front of him, either. And when the pocket broke down, Daniels was able to use his legs to make plays. It’s that playmaking ability out of the pocket that makes Daniels a fascinating development quarterback for the Buccaneers.

“One thing I learned from the University of Kansas is something called will to zero. Will to zero just means you wanna get back to the line of scrimmage no matter what. You don’t wanna make a bad play worse,” Daniels said after the game. “Sometimes, the defense – they get paid to go out there and play defense as well – when they’re out there doing what they can, if you’re able to extend the play and try to be able to continue moving the sticks, that’s something I wanna be able to do.

“But, at the end of the day, if the defense is doing their jobs, I’m gonna do what I can to be able to get to the line of scrimmage. If I can’t, I’m gonna throw the ball away.”

Bucs QB Jalon Daniels – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Daniels’ next drive for Tampa Bay ended in a 46-yard field goal make from B.T. Potter. On the play before Potter’s kick, Daniels had a chance to keep the drive moving and allow the Buccaneers a shot at getting six on the board. Facing a third-and-8 from the Kansas City 28-yard line, Daniels had wide receiver Eric Rivers open on an out route beyond the sticks. Daniels was wide of the mark, and it killed a promising looking drive, forcing Tampa Bay to settle for a field goal.

As Buccaneers legend Rondé Barber stated on the WFLA broadcast, it’s those types of throws that Daniels struggles to make. It showed that while the highs are high, there are some things he can improve on, as to be expected for a player seeing his first taste of action in the NFL. What was impressive, though, is how Daniels responded and how he remained poised with the Buccaneers still trailing in the fourth quarter.

Jalon Daniels Is Making Decisions Hard On Jason Licht

After cornerback Roman Parodie’s interception of quarterback Chris Oladokun giving Tampa Bay prime field position just outside the red zone, Jalon Daniels made sure the Bucs would not squander the golden opportunity in front of them. Daniels made plays to wideouts Dean Patterson IV and Garrett Greene before taking off on his own and getting down to the one-yard line. Daniels got popped at the goal line, but wasted no time in getting his team back to the line of scrimmage.

The call was a simple handoff to running back Sean Tucker, who waltzed into the end zone untouched to give the Buccaneers a 16-15 lead. Daniels quickly getting everyone organized for the next play, in that moment, was quite impressive.

“In my head, I was like, ‘Bet.’ I wanted to know what was going to be the next call, and then I heard Z-Rob [offensive coordinator Zac Robinson] saying, ‘We’re on the ball right now, run this play right now,'” Daniels said after the game. “I knew exactly what the play was about to be and in my head, I’m saying, ‘Bet, this is you [Tucker]. You about to get this ball, go ahead and find the hole.’ And he was able to do that.”

Bucs QB Jalon Daniels – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

The 16-15 lead would hold; Daniels wrapped up his night in victory formation, as he said, “the best football play you can run as an offense.”

“He did a good job closing out the game, second week in a row. He made some plays, some clutch plays,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of things he’s got to learn. But, at the same time, he goes out there, and he makes things happen, and he gives us a chance to win.”

Daniels has one more chance to further impress the Buccaneers’ brass. That will come next Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. He’s certainly impressed so far, and he will undoubtedly make their decision even more difficult when it comes to the possibility of keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

“We’ll consider it. We’ll see. We haven’t talked about it all yet,” Bowles said. “There’s a lot of decisions that have to be made.”

Of course, Browning is well liked by the organization and they believe he can be the team’s best backup since the days of Blaine Gabbert. Furthermore, Browning status as a veteran backup with experience in a wide zone and boot scheme makes him a natural fit for Robinson’s offense. But from what we’ve seen so far when comparing Browning and Daniels in a Tampa Bay uniform, it’s hard argue that Daniels isn’t ahead.

Let’s see if Jason Licht and Co. feel the same way.