UDFA QB Jalon Daniels earned the backup job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a strong preseason. Veteran backup QB Jake Browning, who was injured in a joint practice, was released.
After a strong preseason push from undrafted free agent QB Jalon Daniels, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially named the Kansas rookie QB2, vaulting veteran backup Jake Browning.
Daniels led the Bucs to two preseason victories, serving as the catalyst for Tampa's offense.
After showing flashes in Tampa's first preseason victory over the New York Jets, Daniels was pivotal in the Bucs' comeback win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite entering the game facing a 9-0 deficit, Daniels finished 9-for-14 for 71 yards and the TD, while rushing seven times for an additional 19 yards, leading Tampa to a one-point win.
His lone score was an impressive throw, fitting in a tight-window pass to Ko Kieft for a 2-yard touchdown.
Although the Bucs' offense struggled as a whole against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Daniels has shown enough to secure the job.
National Insider for ESPN and NFL Network Ian Rapoport noted that Daniels was playing on a $25,000 signing bonus, calling him a "true find and a very cool story."
As a result of the move, Tampa released Browning, who signed a one-year deal this offseason.
Browning was seen as the clear starter entering the offseason, but an injury suffered in joint practice kept him sidelined for most of the preseason.
The former Cincinnati Bengal has shown the ability to step in and produce as a backup, but the team likes the upside from Daniels.
According to Onyx Odds, Daniels is the first Kansas QB to make an official NFL roster since 1990, ending a 36-year Jayhawk drought.
Daniels' physical traits pop off the screen when watching, as he moves extremely well out of the pocket, and has a rocket for an arm.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson even went as far to say that Daniels has one of the best arms he has been around, which is strong praise for a guy who has coached gunslingers like Michael Penix Jr. and Matthew Stafford.
Daniels' love and appreciation for the game was apparent in his energy on the field and in postgame pressers.
Following the Bucs' preseason finale, Daniels assessed his play this offseason as a whole, giving credit to his faith and saying that he is just trusting what is in line for him.
When asked about potentially getting the opportunity to be the backup, Daniels said he has always been a guy who is ready when his number is called, saying it was a dream come true to start an NFL game.
Now, Daniels has worked his way into a significant role behind a gunslinger in Baker Mayfield that he can learn from.
A true feel-good story for a guy who started the preseason as the fourth QB on the roster.
