EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Cornerback Ayden Garnes returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter, igniting a Tampa Bay Buccaneers comeback in a 24-16 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in the 2026 preseason opener.
The Bucs trailed 10-0 after Jets running back Braelon Allen broke off a 31-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and kicker Cade York connected on a 27-yard field goal. Garnes flipped the game when defensive lineman David Walker collapsed the pocket on Jets quarterback Bailey Zappe, whose hurried pass intended for Jelani Woods landed in Garnes’ hands. The cornerback finished with three tackles, the interception and the score.
Safety Rashad Wisdom added a second takeaway moments later, picking off Zappe at the Jets’ 40-yard line. Tampa Bay could not convert the turnover into points, and York’s 38-yard field goal gave New York a 13-10 halftime lead.
The Bucs sat their starters, with quarterback Connor Bazelak handling the first half and completing 12 of 20 attempts for 72 yards. Quarterback Jalon Daniels took over after the break and delivered the offense Tampa Bay needed, completing 10 of 15 passes for 111 yards. He also rushed for nine yards, including a one-yard touchdown plunge in the fourth quarter that sealed the 24-16 final.
Daniels’ best throw of the night set up the go-ahead score late in the third quarter — a strike downfield to wide receiver Garrett Greene, who found a void in the zone coverage and moved the chains on third down. Running back Josh Williams capped the 12-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown run through the C-gap. Greene led all Bucs receivers with four receptions for 54 yards, while Williams carried seven times for 28 yards.
Defensive back Damarion Williams paced the defense with eight combined tackles and a sack, while defensive end Elijah Roberts added a sack and a tackle for loss. Linebacker Jack Pyburn sacked Zappe for a loss of seven on third down to open the second half, setting the tone for a shutout final 30 minutes. Kicker Chase McLaughlin contributed a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter for Tampa Bay’s first points.
For the Jets, quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards in limited action, and wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught two passes for 32 yards. Defensive end Will McDonald IV recorded one tackle and a sack on the game’s opening drive. Allen finished with four carries for 44 yards and the 31-yard score.
Tampa Bay, now 1-0 in the preseason, hosts the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m. ET for Preseason Week 2.