Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels Named Buccaneers Backup QB
PUBLISHED Aug 31, 2026, 10:25 AM ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and team staff named undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels the primary backup behind starter Baker Mayfield. Thirty-two National Football League teams passed on Daniels during the 2026 NFL Draft following his collegiate career at Kansas. Entering training camp as the fourth-string quarterback, Daniels competed against Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak for the roster spot. During the preseason, Daniels completed twenty-seven of forty-four pass attempts for two hundred thirty-nine yards, recording one touchdown and zero interceptions. The Buccaneers subsequently released Browning and Bazelak during roster cuts. Baker Mayfield has remained the entrenched starter since joining Tampa Bay, though durability concerns persist after he played through multiple injuries during the previous season. Daniels secured the position through consistent execution, minimal turnovers, and dual-threat mobility during live exhibition matches, providing crucial depth for the franchise heading into the upcoming regular season.
By Michael Grant | JQJO News
Left: Focuses on systemic evaluation failures and rookie labor opportunity. Center: Emphasizes objective preseason performance statistics and roster competition facts. Right: Highlights individual merit, competitive drive, and meritocratic achievement success.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Jalon Daniels as backup quarterback today. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/jalon-daniels-backup-quarterback-roster-cuts-2026
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Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels Named Buccaneers Backup QB
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