RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 14: Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts with DeMonte Capehart #90 after a sack in the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on August 14, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Buccaneers first preseason game is in the books, defeating the New York Jets 24-16. There were certainly highs and lows in this one as we got our first look at preseason action from Tampa Bay. Lets take a look at some of the main takeaways from this first contest.
Jalon Daniels is the front runner for QB3
Undrafted free agent quarterback Jalon Daniels made the most of his opportunity Friday night. He went 10/15 with 111 passing yards as well as three carries for nine yards and a rushing touchdown. Daniels displayed his athleticism countless times throughout the game and also showcased a little bit of his pinpoint accuracy.
On the other hand, Connor Bazelak and the offense struggled in the first half. Bazelak went 12/20 for 72 passing yards and the offense had a tough time consistently moving the football in that first half. Bazelak has the experience edge and Jake Browning is still going to be this team’s QB2 but for the question of who that third signal caller will be, it might be Daniels’ job to lose after a strong performance on Friday.
Bucs may have some serious pass rush depth
For years Tampa Bay’s defense has struggled to consistently rush the passer, and they tried to address that this offseason, but they may have found some depth in unexpected places. Of the Bucs four sacks against the Jets, three of them were by pass rushers in Elijiah Roberts and undrafted free agent rookie Jack Pyburn, who had two. Pyburn specifically flashed and you wonder if he keeps this up the tough decisions the Bucs may be faced with.
Having too many productive players who can get the quarterback is a good problem to have and one the team hasn’t had in a few years. Roberts’ ability to rush from the interior will be very valuable and Pyburn along with second year player David Walker, could end being very productive depth for a defense that could certainly use it.
Good chance Ayden Garnes has already made the roster
Speaking of depth, cornerback may be the one position on the team that on the surface does not appear to have a lot of depth, but an unlikely source could change that. Undrafted free agent rookie out of Arizona Ayden Garnes has impressed in training camp and there has been a lot of buzz already about Garnes before the game even started. Well, he certainly helped his case in this one as he had a big tackle for loss, but the big moment was when he picked off Bailey Zappe and took it to the house for a pick six.
Those types of splash plays are exactly the things that can help keep a player like Garnes around. With Benjamin Morrison just returning from injury and having some injury troubles last year, plus Zyon McCollum being banged up at times last year depth at corner in this league is a must and Garnes can provide a role on this team if he continues to impress. At this point barring injury, I’d expect Garnes to make the final roster as one of the final corners. It will be well earned.
The theme? All of these takeaways involved undrafted free agents and late round picks in some capacity. It just goes to show the job Jason Licht and his team have done in finding these players and the coaching staff continuing to develop them. There are still two preseason games left, but this was a good start by a lot of guys trying to make the roster.
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