The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened their 2026 preseason with a 24-16 victory over the New York Jets Friday night.
The result becomes even more impressive considering Tampa Bay rested every starter on offense and defense. Meanwhile, the Jets played their healthy first-stringers for most of the first quarter.
Despite that difference, the Buccaneers looked like the better team for much of the evening. Several young players also made strong cases for themselves during the preseason opener.
Jalon Daniels Takes Command
With Baker Mayfield resting and Jake Browning sidelined with a back injury, Connor Bazelak received the start. The second-year quarterback completed 12 of 20 passes for 72 yards.
Jalon Daniels took over in the second half and provided an impressive spark. The undrafted rookie completed 10 of 15 passes for 111 yards and added a one-yard touchdown run.
Daniels directed two second-half touchdown drives while making several plays with his legs. His performance helped Tampa Bay take control after entering halftime down by three points.
“When the second half came, I was just like, ‘Alright, take that deep breath. Breathe in, breathe out’” said Daniels.
“At this point, you’re going out there and playing football. You can’t look at it as any different than the game that I’ve been playing since I was seven years old. I think that allowed me to go out there comfortably and be able to play confidently.”
Ayden Garnes Delivers a Huge Play
Undrafted rookie cornerback Ayden Garnes also made a major impact against the Jets. Garnes intercepted Bailey Zappe and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown.
The pick-six helped Tampa Bay erase New York’s early advantage. It also provided a major momentum shift during a game where the Buccaneers needed young players to step up.
“He’s getting better,” Bowles said of Garnes. “We knew he could cover. That was the biggest thing about him, missing tackles.”
“He missed one early, I think he let Breece [Hall] out one times, but he came back with the pick. He doesn’t carry plays. The next play he forgets about it like a good corner should do. He’s getting better every week.”
Garnes wasn’t the only young defensive back to make an impact. Safety Rashad Wisdom intercepted a deflected pass near midfield for Tampa Bay’s second takeaway.
Young Players Help Seal the Win
The Buccaneers entered the game focused heavily on evaluating their younger players. That approach produced several encouraging performances throughout the evening.
First-year running back Josh Williams carried eight times for 27 yards. He also scored on a 12-yard touchdown run during the third quarter.
That touchdown gave Tampa Bay the lead and helped shift the game in the Buccaneers’ favor. The defense then did enough to preserve the advantage.
The Buccaneers recorded four sacks while limiting the Jets to fewer than 300 offensive yards. Undrafted rookie Jack Pyburn recorded two sacks, while Elijah Roberts and Damarion Williams added one apiece.
Buccaneers Show Mental Toughness
Tampa Bay fell behind 10-0 early after Braelon Allen scored on a 31-yard touchdown run. Chase McLaughlin later connected on a 23-yard field goal before Garnes’ pick-six tied the game.
The Jets regained a three-point advantage before halftime. Cade York’s 38-yard field goal came on the final play of the second quarter.
The Buccaneers responded after halftime and eventually took control. Bowles credited his young players for settling down after early mistakes.
“It was just about the mental toughness,” Bowles after the game. “A lot of young guys got to play for the first time under the lights, with referees and live bullets.”
“I thought there were little jitters in the first half; they came back out and settled down and they closed the game out. They started communicating and I thought they played decent in the second half.”
Daniels helped deliver the final blow with the game still in doubt. Tampa Bay held a one-point lead with nine minutes remaining when he directed another impressive scoring drive.
A Jets penalty on a punt gave Bowles the opportunity to go for it on fourth-and-six. Daniels found undrafted rookie receiver Dean Patterson for enough yardage to move the chains.
The drive eventually ended with Daniels’ one-yard touchdown run. That score gave Tampa Bay the lead it would not surrender.
For a preseason opener featuring no Buccaneers starters, the 24-16 victory provided plenty of encouraging signs. Daniels, Garnes and several other young players made the most of their opportunities under the lights.
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