GENERAL MANAGER JASON LICHT

(On the decision to make Jalon Daniels the No. 2 quarterback)

"Well, that's an incredible accomplishment for an undrafted rookie to get that position. I can't think in the last decade [of] another time it's happened. But the number one thing is he earned it. It wasn't just given to him. You don't get that honor by just being lucky or having somebody pull strings for you. He earned it. Like I said, he earned the trust of his teammates, his coaches. You guys have seen him out here practice during camp, [he] did some really great things in the game. You can go back and forth with the experience argument, but we'd rather have a very talented, prepared, inexperienced quarterback than going with experience just for the sake of saying the guy is experienced. So, like all rookie quarterbacks, whether you're the number one overall pick or undrafted, there's going to be a learning curve, there's going to be ups and downs, but we feel good about where he's at, his trajectory, and we're excited."

(On when Daniels emerged as a legitimate candidate for the No. 2 quarterback job)

"[Head Coach] Todd [Bowles] and I have a lot of conversations during practice, before practice, after practice, at night, in his case early in the morning. I think it was before our first preseason game, we loved what we were seeing out here, what we were getting from Zac [Robinson] and Chandler [Whitmer] and T.J. [Yates]…Then I think after the first preseason game with the Jets, I think the conversation started going towards, well, he's got to prove that he can't be the number two more so than he's got to prove that he can be."

(On what stood out about CB Ayden Garnes throughout training camp)

"Yeah, every day he was making a play on the ball – an interception – or multiple plays on the ball. He's got excellent instincts. He's tough. What I liked about him, and I was talking with some of our players about this…He just had a very confident air to him, and he knows he's good, and he kind of carried that with him. At that position, you have to have a lot of confidence, so he's got that going for him too. He's also a rookie, so he's still got ways to go here, but we were very excited about him as well."

(On Garnes holding his own regardless of the competition he faced in practice)

"Yeah, you've nailed it. He doesn't care who he's going against. He sees them all as the same. He doesn't have any bias."

(On the team's running back group, and the decision to keep Sean Tucker on the roster and Josh Williams on the practice squad)

"I love that group, that entire group. Just, [with] the way that you can construct your roster and keep guys on the practice squad and elevate them, you can do that whole thing and there's the roster management, the puzzle…We feel very, very fortunate that we can keep all four because we like all four. But Sean [Tucker] has done some really good things for us in the past. He's an explosive runner. He's got very good speed, and I think it's a nice complement with the running backs that we have, including Josh [Williams]."

(On the toughest position group to make roster decisions at)

"Well, I don't want to say toughest. The first thing that comes to mind is we have really good depth – as good as I can remember or have had here in my tenure – at outside linebacker. [We] feel very good about that. I had to make a couple decisions on whether or not we were going to keep extra there, but that was tough. That's a good position to be in, though."

(On OLB Jack Pyburn not making Tampa Bay's 53-man roster despite a strong preseason)

"Yeah, it's hard. None of these decisions are easy for us. It was tough. You know, he did some really good things, but so did some other guys that we decided to keep on the 53[-man roster]. I would have loved to have him on the practice squad – it would have been great. You don't always get what you want. You can't always have your cake and eat it too. I wish him the best of luck. He did a great job for us and has a chance to be a pretty good player."

(On the improved depth at outside linebacker)

"Yeah, it feels good. We haven't played a game yet, but it feels very good from what we've seen so far and from all of them. I won't name all of them. You guys know who's on the roster. I'll just go down to Anthony Nelson, who also had a strong preseason, and he's been Mr. Clutch for us over the years. I feel very, very good about that position."

(On how well he feels the team was able to keep the depth pieces that it wanted to keep despite roster limitations)

"I think the plan that we had, it went into effect and being able to keep the safeties and the ones that we wanted on the practice squad and who we think could line up and play on Sunday – next Sunday…Because of the rules that we have, elevations and things like that, obviously this roster is not set in stone. It can be fluid. It could be fluid today, tomorrow, next week, leading up to the game. We're always going to be looking for ways that we can upgrade depth at all positions. We were happy with the way it turned out."

(On the team reportedly bringing CB Sean Murphy-Bunting back on the practice squad)

"Yeah, no, that was great. He really wanted to be here too. He had a lot of opportunities. I went down to talk to [Head] Coach [Todd Bowles] about it yesterday and, you know, he was obviously all in. He's done some really good things for us and, you know, could be a player to watch for us. He's going to add to the group and provide a lot of competition there, so that's what you want."

(On where the roster has improved from last season)

"We already had a lot of competitive, mature, win-at-all-cost types of players. We wanted to bring in more, and we think we accomplished that. The vibe at practice, the vibe in the building, meetings, all those things, just because of the more that we added, it's really increased. I really like this team. I've been in this business long enough to know that I can't come up here and give you predictions, but I just know that I really like the way that [Head Coach] Todd [Bowles] is leading this team and what we've added. It's pretty apparent."

(On who could emerge as the go-to receiver this season)

"We have a lot of options at that, but, I mean, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Chris Godwin for all that he's done for this organization…[You] talk about being a consistent, steady Mr. Clutch player – that's him, and he looks very, very good out there right now."

(On WR Ted Hurst III's development since being drafted and getting increased reps at practice)

"Well, that certainly helped him. You know, after we drafted him, I personally thought, 'Okay, this is a great situation for him to be behind these guys and learn.' He may not make a big impact for us this year, but one for the future. I think he's proven to us throughout camp, even OTAs, and practice every day that he's been very, very steady. I think it's kind of evolved into, okay, we can use him this year and he's going to play a role."

(On what he has continued to see from QB Baker Mayfield throughout the end of training camp)

"The same thing. You know, we love Baker. Baker – there's nothing fake about Baker. Sometimes I wish there was maybe 10% more fake [laughs], but he's certainly motivated, and we love that."

(On Mayfield's ability to compartmentalize)

"Yeah, that was never a question of whether or not he would be able to focus and compartmentalize. That's a really strong trait of his. So, yeah, I'm very excited for the season."

(On if Mayfield has a responsibility to protect himself as he gets older)

"That's a great question. I think he's very mindful of that. I think all quarterbacks, as they progress through their career, I think they are a little bit more in tune with that. I think if you would ask him, I'm not sure what the answer would be, but I think he's probably pretty mindful of that."

(On what LB Caden Fordham showed to earn a spot on the roster)

"You know, he's a very instinctive player. Every day, practice, games, [he was] making a lot of plays, [was] in the right spot. He was, I think, the leading tackler in NCAA last year, and you don't do that by accident. I think he's got a really bright future, not only as a linebacker, but special teams, and [we're] putting a little emphasis on that."

(On whether contract discussions with QB Baker Mayfield could resume during the season)

"Well, we certainly respect him wanting to focus on the season. We're focused on the season. I've been here long enough to know that in this league, I don't want to make predictions on what could happen, what will happen, what won't happen. Right now, we're all focused…I've been waiting to say this for a long time – it's on to Cincinnati."

(On what he expects from WR Tez Johnson in his second season)

"Taking a step forward. He's an explosive player. I love his energy – everybody does. I can see him having even more of an impact for us this year."

(On how excited he was to extend NT Vita Vea)

"Very happy, very excited. Anytime a man of his presence and what he's done and his size comes to me and says that he wants to stick around, you normally want to accommodate that."

(On potential contract discussions with OLB Yaya Diaby, K Chase McLaughlin and G Cody Mauch)

"I'm probably not going to talk about that up here. I don't like to talk about what's going on, but those guys are all outstanding players for us and I'd love to have all of them in the future. Once again, on to Cincinnati."

(On whether he is comfortable with the idea of potentially paying a player $50 million per year)

"You know, you're always comfortable with a great player, and you make things work."

(On the scouting staff identifying undrafted players who earned roster spots)

"It's awesome. It's a scout's dream. It's what they do this for. I think I said this on the radio the other day: once the draft is over, that's the part that gets all the media [attention], all that, rounds one through seven…But then rounds eight, nine and 10, that's when I step aside and let them do their work. They love it, they crave it, and they've been doing a really, really, really good job for us. It's always a bonus when you can get somebody like that. Then, you root for him to play well and give them a second deal, which we've done a lot of."

(On what has stood out to him about LB Josiah Trotter)

"He's a 'dawg.' He has a switch once he gets out there and everybody sees it, and it's what the great players have. We're hoping that he keeps ascending and becomes the great player that we think he can be."

HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On when the decision to make Jalon Daniels the No. 2 quarterback became apparent)

"I mean, we started seeing it in [training] camp. Once he played the first preseason game when he had a very good game there, it wasn't so much as the plays he made, it was the poise he showed. The learning got better every week and day by day, and, you know, basically he beat them out."

(On the identity of this year's team)

"[It is] still to be determined. I mean, we haven't played a game yet. That won't come until about four or five weeks in."

(On what undrafted rookie LB Caden Fordham showed to earn a roster spot)

"Once we put the pads on…I mean, he's not the most athletic, but he is a good athlete. Once he put the pads on, just knowing where to be and striking linemen and making plays and being in the right spot every time. He wasn't getting fooled. He played well on [special] teams. He was just an instinctive, good football player. He got better every day and every week and he didn't make the same mistake twice, and he beat the rest of the guys out."

(On the team reportedly bringing CB Sean Murphy-Bunting back on the practice squad)

"It means I'm getting old. No, it was great. We talked yesterday. It would be great to have him because he can play corner, nickel and safety, if need be, to get him back in the fold. Obviously, we've changed a few things since he's been here, but, you know, having a guy with that kind of experience always helps you."

(On the statuses of WR Jalen McMillan and WR Emeka Egbuka)

"I'll feel better when I see next week. Right now, they're day by day, week by week. We'll see how they come along next week."

(On the status of LB Christian Rozeboom and if he could be ready for Week 1)

"He's dealing with a foot injury. He's doing some running. I don't know how far away he'll be. He'll be close. We'll see if he makes it."

(On the decision to carry three safeties on the initial 53-man roster)

"Well, we can bring somebody up. I mean, we have some guys on the practice squad. It was good for the numbers thing. 'Iffy' (Ifeatu Melifonwu) wasn't eligible to be picked up by another team, so, you know, he'll be probably on the roster and somebody we're looking to elevate."

(On whether the team considered adding players through waivers following Sunday's roster cutdown deadline)

"I mean, you always look at guys. You know, everybody is kind of letting go the same guys. It's either sign the guys back that [have] been in your system, unless you see somebody that you really want to go out and get, maybe one or two guys, but not a total overhaul as far as what we saw."

(On where QB Baker Mayfield has grown since the beginning of training camp)

"Obviously, mentally, just grasping the system even more and understanding and telling guys where to go. He had a good grasp of it at the end of the spring, but he looks very comfortable, even more comfortable than he was, right now understanding what Zac [Robinson] wants. Him and Zac and Chandler [Whitmer] have great communication there, so that's probably the area he's grown most in."

(On Mayfield working with Quarterbacks Coach Chandler Whitmer on his footwork)

"When he sets his feet, he can throw with anybody, and he sets them pretty well right now. Chandler has done a great job staying on him; Baker has done a great job working at it."

(On whether the team's depth at outside linebacker is as good as it has been during his time with the team)

"I think it is, yes."

(On signing QB Easton Stick and how his history with Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson can help him)

"It helps him a lot. You know, he doesn't turn the ball over a lot. He's a good athlete. He can run with the ball. He has a championship pedigree from college. He's a very accurate passer, and he's a very smart quarterback to learn [from], and he's athletic as well. So, with our system, as far as half-rolls and boots and stuff like that, he was a good fit. It's just a matter of getting him down [with] the system and seeing how good he can really be."

(On weighing QB Jalon Daniels' preseason mistakes against the positive things he showed)

"He's a rookie. That's going to happen. I don't think any rookie is going to go through preseason unscathed. He's going to learn some things that way, but he's a very bright guy. He understands what he has to do to get better. He works at the things he needs to do to get better, even when he's on the scout team. So, we see a lot of promise there, and he's just got to continually get better, and we think he will."

(On whether Daniels' skill set being similar to QB Baker Mayfield would help the transition if he had to play)

"I mean, it helps his escapability and familiarity to Zac [Robinson], but at the same time, he's a very bright guy. He's not just a roll-out and run-around passer. He can sit in the pocket and throw the ball. He can direct traffic very well. He just needs time on task."

(On his willingness to trust rookies with significant roles)

"There's no age limit on when you can play. Once you come in the league, if you can learn it fast enough and you're a good football player, you're going to play here."

(On what he thinks this team's strength is)

"I believe we're mentally tough. Again, we haven't played a game yet. Our identity is yet to be revealed, but I think we are very mentally tough and we have more leaders, overall, than we've had in the past."

(On whether there is one area of the team he views as its biggest strength)

"I think all areas right now are working to be better. That'll determine itself. We feel like we've got a lot of depth in some areas. We feel like we've got a lot of front-line strength. So, if we can stay healthy, hopefully every area is a strength on this team."

(On the purpose of having shorter practices this week before beginning with the typical regular season practice schedule next week)

"Well, it gives us a head start on Cincinnati. It gives us a jump start. You know, you can't get into too much, but we've got to get in shape and we've got to go from playing eight to 10 plays to 60 to 70 plays. That's part of it as well. So, we've got to get in the rhythm and they've got to get used to the grind of the season."

(On whether he has noticed an increased level of focus from QB Baker Mayfield)

"I believe he's the same since he's been here. You know, he's always focused when he goes out there. He's always in the building early. He's always studying to be better. That's just him, whether it's this year, last year, the year before. He probably has a better grasp of things, especially the offense, after being in one similar a couple years ago…He probably has a better grasp of things."

(On if OLB Rueben Bain Jr.'s recovery from an AC joint sprain was faster than expected)

"I don't think so. We were expecting him to play. He said he's feeling good, so we're going to roll with that. He feels good and we're going to play with it."

QUARTERBACK JALON DANIELS

(On how it feels to earn a spot on the 53-man roster)

"It feels great. I mean, [it's] a blessing. Like I continue to keep saying, [it's] great to be here, great to be a part of the Buccaneers organization and [I] look forward to being able to continue to keep getting better here."

(On the dialogue with Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson and General Manager Jason Licht while competing for the backup quarterback spot)

"Yeah, I mean, just being able to see the growth, being able to – [I'm] very big on not trying to make the same mistake twice. I think that's something I harp on a lot. Once I'm coached about doing something, I try my best to not make that same mistake. I think that's what allows me to be able to keep growing within the offense."

(On what it means that the Buccaneers organization has confidence in him)

"I mean, you [have] to love that, honestly, and especially for a UDFA (undrafted free agent) guy. Like I've been saying since getting here, this coaching staff has done nothing but show me love since getting here. That goes not just with being able to help me be able to pick up the offense, be able to get acclimated to the NFL, but I think that their coaching on me is continuing to be able to help me grow in a lot of different aspects. I'm truly grateful for that."

(On his emotions right after finding out he was named the backup quarterback)

"Like I keep saying, it's truly a blessing. I know that this is just the beginning. I know that there is still a lot of work to be done. Though I was able to be announced 'QB2,' I know that there is still a lot more that I need to be able to improve on, especially if I want to keep on being able to get better."

(On how impactful Quarterbacks Coach Chandler Whitmer has been on him since his arrival in Tampa Bay)

"Truly, truly impactful. When it comes to being able to work on footwork, when it comes to being able to understand little different things within the offense…He's always been someone who says, 'If you have a question, ask those questions.' I'm someone who wants to ask every single question there is, even if I'm getting those scout team reps for our defense. Even today in practice, I was able to ask [Defensive Quality Control] Coach 'Fitz' (Joey Fitzgerald), 'Alright, but when you want this motion in, what type of progression do you want me to go through?' I'm someone who is very big on asking those questions, because if you don't ask those questions…Closed mouths don't get fed."

LINEBACKER CADEN FORDHAM

(On how it feels to earn a spot on the 53-man roster)

"First, I would like to just give the glory to God. It wouldn't be possible without Him. Then, also my family, I'm so grateful for everything they've done for me throughout this journey. I couldn't be more blessed. It's been a dream of mine since I was young. Just putting in the work every day, coming off of injuries, just knowing at the end of the day, the good Lord [has] me and He [has] a plan for me. Being able to see it come into action now, I'm very blessed and excited for the opportunity."

(On how much of his focus he should give to special teams)

"Yeah, a lot. I mean, that's pretty much one of the reasons I believe I'm here. Whatever this team needs me to do, that's what I'm going to do. I'm excited to go out there and play on special teams. Whatever they want me to do, I'm going to do it."

(On his confidence in himself)

"Yeah, I mean, I always have a crazy belief in myself. That's something I believe you have to do as a player if you want to make it at this level. I would say coming off of that last break after OTAs, really getting that time to kind of dive into the playbook and learn stuff, it started to slow down for me when I came back. I could tell when I was out there on the field and I started to play faster and really gain that confidence back to be a ball player on this team. I started to see some things coming to fruition and I just kept believing and kept showing up every day and being the same guy. I believe it helped me."

(On when he found out he made the 53-man roster)

"Yeah, really after the cut date, or cut time. (Vice President of Player Engagement) Duke [Preston] texted me 30 minutes after and kind of congratulated me and let me know. I was very excited to receive that text."

(On if he had other options after draft night besides the Buccaneers)

"I got the call from the [Cleveland] Browns and the [Las Vegas] Raiders for minicamp invites. Then, shortly after, my agent called me and said that Tampa Bay wanted to sign me as a free agent. I obviously took that opportunity and wanted to come here and be a part of the Buccaneers and what they [have] going on."

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