Jalon Daniels credited improved pocket composure with helping him earn his first win as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback in a 24-16 victory over the Cowboys in Dallas. The win came in Daniels’ second start after he took over while Baker Mayfield was sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Daniels made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2026. He started the team’s last two games, losing his first start 17-14 to Green Bay before producing a 110.2 passer rating against the Cowboys.
His passer rating improved from 65.0 against Green Bay to 110.2 in Dallas. Daniels threw two interceptions in his first start and none in his second, while his completion percentage increased by five points.
Daniels identifies pocket composure as key adjustment
Daniels also improved his efficiency between the two starts. His yards per attempt increased from 7.79 against Green Bay to 9.95 against Dallas, and he was sacked once in the second game after taking three sacks in the first.
Daniels said his biggest improvement came from staying composed in the pocket, trusting his eyes and the defense, and progressing through his reads. He also said he needed to run when an open lane was available.
“I would say composure within the pocket – trusting my eyes, trusting what the defense was giving me and taking No. 1 or No. 2 in the progression,” said Daniels of his biggest game-to-game improvement. “And if you see a hole, and it’s a gaping, wide-open hole [to run], probably take it because at the end of the day you’re trying to move the sticks.”
FSB Take
Daniels’ second start showed measurable progress in several areas for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His passer rating rose by 45.2 points, his interceptions dropped from two to zero, his yards per attempt increased and his sacks fell from three to one.
The results matched Daniels’ explanation of his approach in Dallas: remain composed, trust the defense, work through the progression and use an open running lane when it appears. That combination helped him turn a 65.0-rated first start against Green Bay into his first win in his second opportunity.
Source: Original report