Buccaneers rolling with undrafted rookie as backup to Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Buccaneers rolling with undrafted rookie as backup to Baker Mayfield

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 30, 2026 12:42 PM ET

NFL rosters must be finalized at 53 on Sunday, meaning that league-wide cuts will be taking place throughout the day. Weekslong battles for those 52nd or 53rd spots on the roster will be decided and tough decision will be made.

One decision has already been made by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even with the offseason drama, Baker Mayfield will be the starting quarterback this season. His backup, though, may be a bit surprising and it is an awesome story of perseverance.

Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is the backup quarterback

Kyle Trask had been the Buccaneers backup for the previous four seasons, but he departed in the offseason. That left the backup role unfilled and led to a preseason battle between Jake Browning and undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels.

After three preseason games, it is Daniels that Tampa Bay is rolling with as the backup behind Mayfield. Daniels was an undrafted rookie out of Kansas, and he beat out the veteran Browning to secure the job as the backup.

The #Bucs signed Jalon Daniels, UDFA out of Kansas, and gave him a signing bonus of $25K. Now, he's their backup QB. And he's earned it. https://t.co/rpig48rlTc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2026

Jalon Daniels had an excellent preseason

Daniels' preseason performance certainly helped pave his way into the role as the backup. In his preseason action, he accumulated 239 passing yards with one touchdown in the air and one on the ground.

Daniels' dual threat abilities likely played a role in him being selected as a backup over Browning. Daniels can provide a bit of a different look than Mayfield and Browning, both of whom are more standard stand in the pocket quarterbacks.

The Buccaneers certainly hope nothing happens that would force Daniels into a game to replace Mayfield. If it does, though, it's clear they feel confident in his abilities to help them win games.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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