Daily News 19

Tag: Todd Bowles

  • Bucs-Bengals Features NFL’s Two Biggest Wild Cards in 2026, Plus Three Bounce-Back Teams

    Bucs-Bengals Features NFL’s Two Biggest Wild Cards in 2026, Plus Three Bounce-Back Teams

    Buccaneers Enter 2026 Season with High Expectations After Mayfield Extension

    The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have eliminated their biggest offseason question mark by signing quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $165 million contract extension. With their franchise signal-caller secured, Tampa Bay enters the 2026 campaign positioned to reclaim the NFC South crown after the Carolina Panthers ended their four-year division reign last season.

    Offensive Firepower Gives Mayfield Multiple Weapons

    The Buccaneers’ passing attack features a versatile trio of playmakers that should stress opposing secondaries. Second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan joins veteran Chris Godwin Jr. and rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka to create a receiving corps blending big-play ability with reliable chain-moving skills. McMillan is expected to miss the season opener with a knee injury, though the issue is not considered long-term.

    Mayfield’s checkdown options are equally dangerous. Running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell both excel in space, giving the quarterback reliable outlets on swings, screens, and option routes when downfield coverage takes away primary reads. If Tampa Bay can establish a consistent ground game to complement its aerial attack, the offense has the pieces to challenge elite defenses weekly.

    Defensive Rebuild Aims to Restore Bowles’ Signature Pressure

    Head coach Todd Bowles’ reputation as a defensive architect took a hit in 2025 when the unit produced just 37 sacks — the franchise’s lowest total since 2017. The Buccaneers responded by overhauling the coaching staff and roster on that side of the ball, betting on a blend of youth and experience to reignite the pass rush.

    Rookie outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr., linebacker Josiah Trotter, and defensive back Keionte Scott are being counted on for immediate contributions alongside free-agent additions Alex Anzalone at linebacker and A’Shawn Robinson on the interior. They’ll join a proven core featuring defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, edge rusher Yaya Diaby, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

    The critical question remains whether this group can generate consistent quarterback pressure. Bain possesses the traits to become a premier sack artist, but he has yet to take a regular-season NFL snap. Until Tampa Bay proves it can disrupt opposing passing games, the defense risks forcing a one-dimensional, offense-reliant approach that rarely succeeds against the conference’s top teams.

    2026 Outlook: Division Favorites with Playoff Upside

    With Mayfield operating at a high level and a revitalized supporting cast, the Buccaneers are well-positioned to recapture the NFC South. Beyond the division, Tampa Bay’s ceiling depends on defensive improvement. If Bowles’ unit rediscovers its suffocating identity, the Buccaneers could secure a No. 3 or 4 seed in the NFC playoffs and emerge as a legitimate threat to reach Super Bowl LXI.

  • Buccaneers Sign Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels as Backup Quarterback

    Buccaneers Sign Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels as Backup Quarterback

    Jalon Daniels has won the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ backup quarterback job to open the 2026 season, according to a source who spoke to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

    The undrafted rookie began training camp as a long shot to make the roster behind starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and veteran Jake Browning, who signed a one-year contract with Tampa Bay earlier this year. Daniels impressed during training camp and the Buccaneers’ preseason schedule, ultimately beating out Browning for the No. 2 role.

    Buccaneers to release Jake Browning

    Tampa Bay will release Browning on Sunday as the team reduces its roster to 53 players, a source told Rapoport.

    “[Daniels] has shown a lot. He’s shown a lot,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said after Friday’s preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. “We’re going to go back and evaluate the film.”

    Daniels joined the Buccaneers earlier this year on a contract that included a $25,000 signing bonus. The former Kansas star appeared in all three of Tampa Bay’s preseason games, completing 61.4% of his passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown.

    Daniels started Friday’s 19-0 loss to the Jaguars but struggled, completing 8 of 15 attempts for 57 yards and losing a fumble.

    “It’s not really the completions,” Bowles said. “It’s the overall operation to make sure he’s fine with that, and then we’ll come back and look at the film because it wasn’t very good offensively tonight.”