Former Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels has officially gone from undrafted free agent to an NFL backup quarterback.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving forward with Daniels as the No. 2 quarterback behind Baker Mayfield, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Tampa Bay is also releasing veteran Jake Browning, who had been competing with Daniels for the backup job.
It’s an impressive rise for Daniels, who signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in May after spending six seasons at Kansas.
Daniels made the most of his opportunities throughout the preseason. He completed 27 of 44 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while adding 37 rushing yards and another score. He also helped lead comeback victories against the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
Against the Chiefs, Daniels helped erase a 15-0 halftime deficit as Tampa Bay rallied for a 16-15 victory.
For Kansas fans, Daniels’ latest accomplishment adds another chapter to one of the most memorable careers in recent program history.
Daniels finished his KU career with 9,282 passing yards and 67 touchdowns while adding 1,445 yards and 23 scores on the ground. He ranks second in Kansas history in both passing yards and passing touchdowns and was instrumental in helping Lance Leipold turn the Jayhawks into a competitive Big 12 program.
Now, after not hearing his name called during the 2026 NFL Draft, Daniels has played his way onto an NFL roster — and is one injury away from getting an opportunity to lead a team with playoff expectations.
For an undrafted quarterback who entered camp simply trying to make the team, it’s hard to ask for a better outcome.
