Bucs rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels talked about how the off-season has been for him, being part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with his approach to the game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels is learning how to be professional in the National Football League.
While currently on the roster as an undrafted free agent, Daniels has a solid example in Baker Mayfield, a former No. 1 overall draft pick.
While those who are drafted high are most likely to make the regular-season roster, undrafted players like Daniels need to have a chance. It's also important for the undrafted free agent to pick a team that is in a good situation that provides an environment where they can thrive, learn the playbook, and the processes of being in the NFL.
Daniels seems to have that with the Buccaneers coaching staff.
On Thursday after practice, Daniels told reporters what went into his decision to sign with Tampa Bay, being that his visit with the team was one of the main factors.
"I kind of just fell in love with the staff,” Daniels said, “how much they poured into me just even on my 30 visit, just how much I felt I was going to be able to learn from the coaching staff here, the environment, the teammates that I now have that I met when I was on my 30 visit. It meant a lot to me, being able to have so many people who poured into me before they even got the chance to know me. When I got the opportunity to be able to come here after the draft, I was like, 'Alright, Tampa Bay is going to be the place I go.'"
As learning goes, Daniels talked about how being around quarterback Baker Mayfield has helped in his development as a pro.
"For me, it's about being able to see what he's doing and being able to pick up little things," said Daniels. "Obviously, he's going on Year Nine in the NFL now. He's played this game for quite some time, and he has a lot of knowledge within his game that I don't have yet. Every little thing that I want to work on, I ask him those questions."
There's a competition for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at quarterback, and Daniels will have a chance to attain that. Daniels is a versatile player with dual-threat capabilities, and that can make it tough for defenses to game plan against. He'll be competing with second-year QB Connor Bezalek and former Cincinnati Bengals backup Jake Browning.
Before signing with the Buccaneers, Daniels spent 2020-2025 playing college football at Kansas. In his college football career, Daniels threw for 9,282 yards and 67 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,445 yards and 23 touchdowns.
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