Bucs QB Jalon Daniels.
Bucs quarterback Jalon Daniels proved he was ready for streaming in primetime.
But he wasn’t quite ready for a matinee in the main theatre.
Look, Joe likes Daniels and thought he brought excitement to a dreadfully bland Bucs offense. But when the Bucs needed to lean on the undrafted rookie in the second half today, he demonstrated why every team in the league, including the Bucs, passed on him in the draft.
The Steelers’ defense simply shut down running back Bucky Irving in the second half, and that left the offense on the back of Daniels.
He wasn’t ready, yet.
The Bucs had a 13-3 lead at halftime. The led 16-3. They entered overtime tied 19-19. All the Bucs needed to win the game was another field goal, or better yet a touchdown.
Instead, the Bucs offense was stuck in the mud. Just like Daniels was stuck in the mud.
Does anyone really expect Daniels to start next week? Bucs coach Todd Bowles is clearly coaching for his job and his career going forward. Joe isn’t sure how the Bucs could rally from a 1-5 record to make the playoffs, not even in this garbage NFC South.
Bowles isn’t going to risk his career on a rookie who couldn’t get his offense to score a touchdown in the second half today.
Daniels may very well be the Bucs starter of the future. But he needs a lot of work. And he needs to be in a much better offense than he’s chained to now.