Undrafted QB Jalon Daniels wins Bucs QB2 job

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49772519/source-bucs-tab-undrafted-rookie-jalon-daniels-backup-qb

The Buccaneers are making a significant bet on undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels.

Daniels has been named the team’s backup quarterback to Baker Mayfield after Tampa Bay elected to release veteran Jake Browning.

Daniels, 23, won the No. 2 job following an impressive training camp and preseason, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rappaport.

Browning, who signed with Tampa Bay during the offseason and received $400,000 guaranteed, was released Sunday as the Buccaneers finalized their roster.

The decision is particularly notable because of the uncertainty surrounding Tampa Bay’s long-term quarterback situation.

Mayfield, 31, is entering the final season of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2024. He is scheduled to make $40 million in 2026 and notably said he “felt disrespected” following negotiations over a possible long-term deal during the off-season. 

Mayfield's contract expires after the season, making Mayfield eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2027.

This makes Tampa Bay’s confidence in Daniels especially interesting.

The undrafted rookie completed 27 of 44 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions during three preseason games.

Daniels had a good preseason with the Buccaneers. Over the course of the three preseason games, Daniels completed 61.4% of his passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 37 yards and one score himself.

Daniels had a good preseason with the Buccaneers. Over the course of the three preseason games, Daniels completed 61.4% of his passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 37 yards and one score himself.

"[Daniels] has shown a lot. He's shown a lot," head coach Todd Bowles said on Friday after the final preseason game.

Daniels is the first KU quarterback to make an NFL roster under Lance Leipold and the first in over 30 years for the KU program. Former KU quarterback Jason Bean made a push for the Indianapolis Colts' roster in 2024 but ended up on the practice squad.

During his final season in Lawrence in 2025, Daniels completed 62.1% of his passes for a career-best 2,531 yards (7.9 yards per attempt) with a career-best 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

At the NFL Draft Combine, the quarterback ran a 40 but did not participate in other athletic testing. He ran a 4.65 official 40 with a 1.63 second 10-yard split. His 40 time was the fifth fastest among the seven quarterbacks who ran 40s. His 10-yard split was fifth out of the seven as well. His Next Gen Stats Athleticism Score of 79 placed him fifth among the quarterbacks who performed athletic testing. Daniels measured 6-foot-1, 219 pounds. He has 30 and 3/8-inch arms and 9 and 5/8 inch hands

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