The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came from behind Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, rallying from a 15-7 deficit to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 16-15 and improve to 2-0 in the 2026 preseason.

And while preseason wins don't count in the standings, this one offered plenty for Todd Bowles and his staff to chew on — particularly the continued emergence of undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels.

The Bucs trailed 9-0 at halftime and 15-7 entering the fourth quarter before Daniels helped engineer the comeback. A Roman Parodie interception set up Sean Tucker's go-ahead one-yard touchdown run with just over 10 minutes remaining, and Tampa Bay's defense held on from there.

Kansas City had one last chance to retake the lead, but Harrison Butker missed a 43-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Final score: Buccaneers 16, Chiefs 15.

THE GOOD: JALON DANIELS CONTINUES TO MAKE HIS CASE

The biggest winner of the night was Jalon Daniels.

The undrafted rookie came into the game after Jake Browning and Baker Mayfield had taken their snaps and immediately gave the Bucs offense some life.

Daniels finished 9-of-14 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown, while adding 19 yards on seven carries. More importantly, he led Tampa Bay on three consecutive scoring drives.

His best sequence came in the third quarter.

Daniels extended plays with his legs, found receivers while rolling out and eventually connected with tight end Ko Kieft for a two-yard touchdown. The seven-play, 49-yard drive cut Kansas City's lead to 9-7.

He followed that with another scoring drive that ended in B.T. Potter's 46-yard field goal.

Then came the fourth quarter.

After Roman Parodie's interception gave Tampa Bay possession at the Kansas City 37, Daniels helped move the Bucs into the red zone before Sean Tucker powered across the goal line from one yard out.

That's two straight preseason games in which Daniels has provided a noticeable spark.

Todd Bowles summed it up afterward: Daniels still has plenty to learn, but he makes things happen and gives the team a chance to win.

That is becoming a very interesting storyline as the Bucs get closer to roster decisions.

THE GOOD: THE DEFENSE SHOWED SOME TEETH

The first-team defense looked considerably better than the first-team offense early in the game.

Tampa Bay's defense forced two straight three-and-outs to open the game and consistently pressured Kansas City quarterback Justin Fields. Rueben Bain Jr. and Yaya Diaby were disruptive early, while Anthony Nelson had one of the night's biggest defensive performances.

Nelson finished with 1.5 sacks, including a strip-sack of Fields.

He later teamed with Mohamed Kamara for another sack that knocked Kansas City out of field-goal range.

Those are the kinds of plays that stand out during preseason — especially for players fighting for roster position or playing-time responsibilities.

And then came Roman Parodie.

The young cornerback picked off Chris Oladokun early in the fourth quarter, returning the ball 15 yards to the Kansas City 22.

Tampa Bay turned that turnover into the go-ahead touchdown.

That's exactly what you want to see from a young defensive back: make the play, create the turnover and watch the offense capitalize.

THE GOOD: DEAN PATTERSON IV IS GETTING INTERESTING

Another name worth circling is Dean Patterson IV.

The Tampa native and undrafted rookie caught five passes for 47 yards, including a beautiful 24-yard sideline catch from Daniels in the third quarter.

Patterson and Kam Johnson each finished with 56 receiving yards, tying for the team lead.

For a young receiver trying to separate himself in a crowded room, that's another encouraging night.

Patterson isn't just getting opportunities — he's starting to do something with them.

THE BAD: THE STARTING OFFENSE DIDN'T EXACTLY LIGHT IT UP

Here's the reality check.

The Bucs' first-team offense didn't score.

Baker Mayfield played only briefly, completing 2-of-4 passes for 10 yards before exiting. Jake Browning handled most of the first half and was much more productive statistically, going 8-of-11 for 84 yards.

Overall, Tampa Bay finished with only 242 total yards, including 143 passing and 99 rushing.

Again, it's preseason — and the game plan is hardly a preview of what we'll see in September — but there wasn't much offensive rhythm early.

The Bucs also committed some penalties and had trouble sustaining drives.

That's the part of the tape Zac Robinson's new offense will want to clean up.

THE BAD: TWO LOST FUMBLES

The Bucs weren't exactly clean with the football.

Tampa Bay lost two fumbles, while Kansas City lost one.

One of those turnovers came in a particularly frustrating sequence late in the first half, when a Tampa Bay turnover helped give the Chiefs the opportunity to add points before halftime.

That's something Bowles won't want becoming a habit.

Preseason or not, giving opponents extra possessions is a recipe for trouble.

THE UGLY: THAT FIRST HALF

If we're handing out grades, the first half wasn't pretty.

Tampa Bay went into halftime trailing 9-0 and had trouble generating any consistent offensive momentum.

Meanwhile, Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker was doing ridiculous things.

Butker hit field goals from 45, 58 and 69 yards in the first half.

Yes — 69 yards.

He drilled it as time expired in the second quarter, giving Kansas City a 9-0 halftime lead.

But here's the funny part: Butker's spectacular night eventually turned sour.

He missed an extra point and then missed a potential game-winning 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

So Kansas City basically got a 69-yard field goal and still lost the game.

That's preseason football for you.

THE TURNING POINT

The game really changed when Roman Parodie intercepted Oladokun.

Kansas City was still ahead 15-10, but Tampa Bay suddenly had the ball at the Chiefs' 22-yard line.

Daniels and the offense took advantage.

A penalty helped Tampa Bay move closer before Sean Tucker finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

The Bucs tried for two and didn't get it, leaving the score 16-15.

That turned out to be enough.

Kansas City got the ball back and moved into position for Butker's 43-yard attempt — but the kick sailed wide.

Game over.

THE MOST INTERESTING TAKEAWAY: THE QB ROOM

The preseason isn't about winning games as much as evaluating players.

And right now, Jalon Daniels is making the Bucs' quarterback conversation more interesting.

Baker Mayfield is obviously the starter.

Jake Browning had a solid night statistically.

But Daniels is creating something you can't really manufacture: momentum.

He has now shown the ability to enter games, settle down quickly, extend plays and create offense with both his arm and his legs.

He also led another fourth-quarter comeback.

Against the Chiefs, he completed 64% of his passes, threw a touchdown, didn't throw an interception and added 19 rushing yards.

That's a pretty good résumé for an undrafted rookie through two preseason games.

The Bucs are 2-0, but the bigger story is the number of young players giving the coaching staff some difficult decisions to make.

Jalon Daniels is certainly at the top of that list.

The Bucs' preseason continues to look less like an exercise in simply getting through August and more like a competition for several roster spots that could actually become important once the real games begin.

Sitemap