The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reportedly locked in their backup quarterback for the 2026 campaign, and get this: it’s undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport dropped the news Sunday, confirming Daniels will back up Baker Mayfield, whose own long-term future with the team is still up in the air due to contract talks. This isn’t just a regular backup announcement, this is a massive shake-up.
The Undrafted Kid Who Said “Watch Me”
Can you believe it? Daniels came into Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent, snagging a mere $25,000 signing bonus. But Rapoport said it himself: this guy “impressed throughout camp” and straight-up “earned” the QB2 role. This isn’t some token gesture. Daniels beat out Jake Browning, a dude who actually started 10 games for the Cincinnati Bengals over the past three seasons when Joe Burrow was sidelined. Browning was brought in this offseason, presumably to be Mayfield’s backup, just like he was for Burrow. But nope, Daniels wasn’t having it. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Browning got released Sunday, making Daniels the guy moving forward. Talk about a statement.
Daniels’ collegiate career at Kansas was a roller coaster. He battled injuries early on, even during a breakout 2022 season. But he showed up for 12 games in both 2024 and 2025 for the Jayhawks. In 2024, he threw 14 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, then flipped the script in 2025. He completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,531 yards, tossed 22 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, and added 404 yards and four scores on the ground. That’s serious improvement, folks! He earned praise for his leadership and work ethic at Kansas, and clearly, he wasted zero time proving himself in the NFL. He saw action in all three preseason games, going 10-of-15 for 111 yards against the Jets, 9-of-14 for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, and 8-of-15 for 57 yards against the Jaguars. Plus, he even ran for a touchdown against the Jets. The kid’s a gamer.
Mayfield’s Crossroads and the Bengals Showdown
So, with Daniels firmly in the backup spot, the spotlight is even brighter on Baker Mayfield. This 2026 campaign is the final year on his contract, and he and the Buccaneers couldn’t agree on a long-term deal. Mayfield said he’s just focusing on football during the season, but let’s be real, there’s a ton of uncertainty swirling around his future in Tampa Bay. Having an undrafted player like Daniels step up the way he has, especially over a guy with Browning’s NFL experience, just adds another layer to that situation.
The Bucs kick off their season against the Bengals on September 13. How wild is that? The team Daniels just sent packing will be the first opponent. There’s no more guessing about who’s behind Mayfield. This kid, who got a $25,000 signing bonus, has officially turned the Tampa Bay quarterback room on its head. Get ready to see what he can do if his number gets called, because the NFL is a wild place where anything can happen!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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