{
  "id": 5134135,
  "title": "Buccaneers position preview: Quarterback",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/buccaneers-position-preview-quarterback",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T17:25:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/buccaneers-position-preview-quarterback-172520210.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Tampa Bay, quarterback Tua Mayfield enters his fourth season firmly positioned as the franchise's starter. He put up impressive numbers in 2025, throwing for 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns, yet the Buccaneers failed to make the playoffs after finishing the season at 8-9, following a 6-2 opening. Collaborating with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Mayfield aims to propel Tampa Bay's offense back into the postseason.\n\nJalon Daniels is the star of the quarterback room. An undrafted free agent from Kansas, he started at the fourth spot on the depth chart during training camp. By the preseason's end, Daniels had outperformed veterans Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak to secure the backup role. Tampa Bay subsequently released both Browning and Bazelak, leaving Daniels as the sole quarterback behind Mayfield on the active roster. General manager Jason Licht hailed Daniels' achievement, noting his trust from coaches and teammates throughout the offseason. This move is also remarkable for Tampa Bay, as it marks the first time a rookie has started the season as the team's primary backup since Mike Glennon in 2013, who was a third-round pick. Daniels' mobility presents Tampa Bay with a unique asset, and his progress throughout camp gained the organization's confidence over a more seasoned option.\n\nHowever, the gap between preseason performance and executing in an NFL game remains substantial. The Buccaneers bolstered their depth by signing Easton Stick to the practice squad. Stick, with just four career starts and prior experience working with Robinson and quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates in Atlanta, provides additional safety for Tampa Bay. With the Bucs counting on Mayfield for the most part, Daniels and Stick are unlikely to witness substantial action if everything unfolds as planned.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}