Without the starters playing, plenty of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ' reserves were given a huge opportunity to make a name for themselves in the Bucs' preseason-opening victory over the New York Jets on Friday night.
While undrafted rookie Ayden Garnes may have been the star of the game for the Bucs after his 47-yard pick-6 changed the game, it was the battle for Tampa's QB3 job that was highlighted throughout the contest.
With Baker Mayfield, along with the rest of Tampa's starters, not scheduled to play, and backup Jake Browning out with a back injury, both Jalon Daniels and Connor Bazelak were in line for a huge chance to convince the Bucs to keep a third QB.
Bazelak got the start and played the entire first half. Though it is worth noting that Bazelak began the game playing against many of the Jets' defensive starters, the second-year QB had a disappointing outing and was unable to separate himself from Daniels. In fact, Bazelak likely came out of this game as QB4 despite starting it as QB3.
With Bazelak at the helm, the Bucs' offense couldn't get going in the first half. Tampa got the ball to start the game and immediately went three-and-out. Bazelak's night started with an incompletion on first down, and then he was sacked on third down.
Tampa's second drive didn't fare much better. After picking up an early first down, two straight incomplete passes set up a third-and-10. Bazelak was able to complete his throw to Dean Patterson, but it was four yards short of the line to gain. Two drives. Eight plays. Two punts. Zero points.
Not exactly how an offense hopes to start a game.
By the time the Bucs got the ball again, they were down 10-0. However, this time Bazelak led Tampa to its first points of the game. A nice 14-play, 63-yard drive got the Bucs a first-and-goal from the Jets' 7-yard-line, but they were unable to get any closer than the five. A Chase McLaughlin field goal put the Bucs on the board.
While the Bucs managed to get three points, Bazelak was only able to complete short throws throughout the drive, though he added a nice 8-yard run.
After Garnes' pick-6 tied the game at 10, the Bucs would get two more possessions before halftime. Each was another three-and-out, with both drives resulting in the loss of a yard.
Bazelak would finish his uninspiring half 12-20 for only 72 yards (a meager 3.6 yards per attempt). He did not throw a TD or an interception.
The offense was completely different after halftime. With Daniels now leading the way, the Bucs' offense marched down the field on a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a Josh Williams 12-yard TD run.
Daniels looked in control of the offense, making plays with both his arm and his legs. He scrambled for five yards on a third-and-4 and connected with wide receiver Garrett Greene for a 35-yard gain on third-and-13 from the Tampa 28.
In the fourth quarter, Daniels and the offense marched down the field on a methodical 16-play, 65-yard drive that was punctuated by Daniels' one-yard touchdown plunge. That TD gave Tampa a 24-16 lead and was the last score of the game.
Daniels would finish the game 10-15 for 111 yards and added three carries for nine yards, including his TD run.
After the game, head coach Todd Bowles praised Daniels for his poise in the pocket.
Daniels walked out of MetLife Stadium as the clear winner of Round 1 in his competition with Bazelak to be QB3. However, he has a lot of work to do if he wants to convince the team to keep a third quarterback on the 53-man roster.
It is very unlikely that either Daniels or Bazelak will be able to unseat Browning as Mayfield's backup, meaning the only shot either has at making the team is if Tampa rolls with three quarterbacks, which the team is not expected to do.
However, Daniels has flashed a lot during camp and continued his strong play in an actual game. Tampa may risk losing him if they cut him with the hopes of stashing him on the practice squad. Another team may be willing to carry a third QB, and Daniels is exactly the type of young, talented quarterback teams love to develop.
If Daniels can play like he did Friday night in the Bucs' two remaining preseason games, he will at least make Tampa very uncomfortable with the idea of cutting him and risking another team scooping him up.
The Bucs continue their preseason action at home next Saturday night at 7:30 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
