Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made their toughest roster decisions. Tampa Bay needed to trim its roster to 53 players by Sunday’s deadline. The NFL set the deadline for 6 p.m. ET. The Buccaneers entered camp with 91 players. That total included international player pathway exemption Paul Rubelt. Now, the Bucs have their initial roster for the 2026 season. However, several decisions created plenty of discussion around Tampa Bay. The biggest decision came at quarterback.
Jalon Daniels Wins the Backup Job
The Buccaneers chose rookie Jalon Daniels as Baker Mayfield’s backup. That decision came at the expense of veteran Jake Browning. Browning signed with Tampa Bay during the offseason. He brought six seasons of experience with Cincinnati. However, Daniels impressed throughout training camp and the preseason. The former Kansas quarterback completed 27 of 44 passes. He threw for 239 yards and one touchdown. Daniels also rushed for 37 yards and scored another touchdown. His mobility gave Tampa Bay another dimension behind Mayfield. Therefore, the Buccaneers decided to trust the rookie. Browning will now look for another opportunity. He could potentially return to Tampa Bay’s practice squad. Connor Bazelak also left the roster during the final cuts. The decision gives Tampa Bay an intriguing quarterback room. Mayfield remains the starter. Daniels now becomes the young backup with significant developmental potential.
Chris Braswell Becomes a Major Surprise
The Buccaneers also made a surprising decision involving Chris Braswell. Tampa Bay waived the 2024 second-round pick. The Buccaneers selected Braswell 57th overall two years ago. However, his production never matched his draft status. Braswell appeared in all 34 games across his first two seasons. He recorded 48 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss. His 2025 season created additional concerns. Pro Football Focus gave Braswell a 57.6 grade last season. That ranked him 91st among 115 qualifying edge defenders. Still, Tampa Bay valued his special teams’ contributions. Braswell played 391 special teams snaps during his two seasons. Even that value could not save his roster spot. The decision shows how competitive Tampa Bay’s edge group became. Rueben Bain Jr. enters his rookie season as an important piece. Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and David Walker also remain.
Several Young Players Miss the Cut
The Buccaneers also moved on from several young players. Running back Barika Kpeenu became one of the first cuts. Josh Williams also missed the final roster. The running back room now centers around Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. Sean Tucker also remains in the mix. Tampa Bay hopes that group provides enough depth behind Irving. The Buccaneers also moved on from several wide receivers. Dean Patterson, Eric Rivers, and Jha’Quan Jackson all missed the final roster. Jackson joined Tampa Bay only days before the preseason finale. The Buccaneers signed him after waiving Dennis Houston with an injury designation. That move shows just how quickly the roster changed. The team also waived tight ends Devin Culp and Kenny Fletcher. Bauer Sharp gives Tampa Bay another young option at the position. Cade Otton and Payne Durham remain important pieces. Ko Kieft also provides blocking and special teams value.
Defensive Cuts Reshape the Depth
Tampa Bay also made several defensive changes. The Buccaneers waived defensive linemen Jayson Jones, Josiah Green, and Travis Shaw. They also moved on from linebacker John Bullock. Nick Jackson and outside linebacker Yasir Holmes also missed the roster. Safety Rashad Wisdom also became a cut. Those decisions create opportunities for younger players. Second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter now enters the season with expectations. Alex Anzalone also takes over an important leadership role. He replaces franchise legend Lavonte David as the projected defensive signal caller. The defensive line also looks considerably different. Vita Vea remains the centerpiece inside. Calijah Kancey and A’Shawn Robinson add more veteran talent. Rakeem Nunez-Roches also returns to the rotation. Meanwhile, rookie DeMonte Capehart could earn meaningful snaps.
The Secondary Offers Plenty of Youth
The Buccaneers also kept several young defensive backs. Ayden Garnes became an intriguing name during training camp. The undrafted rookie competed for one of the final cornerback spots. Tampa Bay has developed a strong recent history with undrafted defensive backs. Garnes now gets an opportunity to continue that trend. Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish also join the secondary. Keionte Scott gives Tampa Bay another young defensive back. Zyon McCollum remains another important piece. At safety, Antoine Winfield Jr. leads the group. Tykee Smith and Miles Killebrew also provide experience. Tampa Bay will need that depth throughout the season.
The Bucs Still Have Work to Do
The initial 53-man roster does not represent the final version. Tampa Bay can still make waiver claims. The Buccaneers can also bring players back through the practice squad. The team expects to build a 16-player practice squad. That process could bring several familiar faces back to Tampa. Players like Browning could remain possibilities. Other young players could also return after clearing waivers. That makes Sunday’s cuts less permanent for some players. Still, the initial roster tells us plenty about Tampa Bay’s plans. The Bucs clearly value athleticism and versatility. They also want younger players to develop behind established veterans. Most importantly, the quarterback decision sends a strong message.
Tampa Bay believes Daniels can handle the backup role. That decision could become one of the biggest stories of the season. The Buccaneers now turn their attention toward the regular season. Tampa Bay opens the 2026 campaign against Cincinnati on September 13. The preseason decisions are finished. Now, the Buccaneers must prove those decisions were the right ones. This version is written as a current cutdown-day article, so it focuses on confirmed moves rather than outdated roster projections.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a not so good season this could be better for the franchise in 2026-27.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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