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Daniels successfully outperformed veteran
A Rapid Rise Through Preseason
The path to the backup role was paved by a series of consistent performances throughout the preseason. Daniels appeared in all three of Tampa Bay's exhibition contests, demonstrating his versatility by completing 61.4% of his passes for 239 yards and a touchdown. He also contributed on the ground, adding 37 rushing yards and a touchdown to his preseason tally.
His journey to the NFL began with a modest signing bonus of $25,000, but his development during the summer months clearly caught the attention of the coaching staff. Following the team's preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Todd Bowles acknowledged the rookie's progress, noting that he had shown a significant amount during his time with the squad.
Final Roster Adjustments
While the quarterback room has been settled, the team continues to make difficult personnel decisions elsewhere on the roster. Reports indicate that the Buccaneers are also waiving running back Josh Williams. Williams had been competing for the third-string running back position, recording 57 rushing yards on 18 carries and one touchdown during the preseason.
The final evaluation process was not without its challenges. In the 19-0 loss to the Jaguars on Friday, the offense struggled to find rhythm, with Daniels completing 8 of 15 pass attempts for 57 yards and losing a fumble. Despite the difficult outing, Bowles emphasized that the evaluation process focused on the overall operation of the offense rather than just the raw completion statistics. With the roster deadline approaching, the organization is now shifting its focus toward the regular season with Daniels officially positioned as the primary insurance policy behind Mayfield.
