Jon Gruden sends fiery message to Bucs QB Jalon Daniels before 1st NFL start
Tampa Bay Buccaneers undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels is set to receive his first major opportunity in the NFL in Week 4 when the team faces off against the Green Bay Packers. Ahead of the game, Daniels received a passionate message from former Bucs coach Jon Gruden that may have him ready to rise to the occasion.
On paper, Daniels is certainly being put in a tough position given that the Buccaneers desperately need a victory, sitting at 0-3 on the season thus far.
Considering both Daniels’ inexperience at the NFL level and the Buccaneers struggles thus far this season, it’s safe to say that Bucs fans certainly aren’t all that confident that things will go well against the Packers on Sunday.
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However, Jon Gruden, who of course coached the Buccaneers from 2002-2008 and helped the organization win Super Bowl XXXVII, sees Sunday’s game as a real opportunity for Daniels to provide a much needed spark for Tampa Bay.
In a post on X, Gruden sent a fiery message to Daniels, explaining how Daniels needs to go into the game with the correct attitude and energy to help the organization turn things around.
“You know, a lot of people are like ‘Woe is me, we’ve got a rookie undrafted quarterback playing for us,’ said Gruden. “You can look at it like that. And I’m sure Daniels can look at it like… ‘That is a big burden on my shoulders.’ I don’t think so. You can also look at it like this. What a freaking opportunity this is. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. You guys ever watch Rocky Balboa? Did you see what happened? That’s what Jalon Daniels has to be thinking.
“You know, the Buccaneers need a spark. They weren’t lighting it up with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. They were turning the ball over. They turned it over seven times. They had eight holding calls, 13 sacks. Hard time putting it in the end zone. Maybe this kid can give the Buccaneers a spark they need to wake this team up.”
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Gruden’s point is a good one. While there is obvious pressure for Tampa Bay to win on Sunday, things are already starting at a low point for the Buccaneers offense this season.
Should Daniels be able to do some of the things Gruden was referring to like take care of the football and get some drives deep into Packers territory, pressure may start to come off of Daniels quickly.
Fortunately for Daniels and the Buccaneers offense, Sunday’s matchup against the Packers may very well serve as a decent chance to get back on track on paper.
Through the first three weeks, the Packers have allowed 30.3 points per game, which tied for the third-most in all of football. So maybe Daniels and company can shock the world and come away with a win to get back into the mix in the NFC South.
