Undrafted Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels starts for Buccaneers after Mayfield injury
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels made his first NFL start for Tampa Bay in Week 4, completing 19 of 27 passes and running for 55 yards, while the team awaits Baker Mayfield’s return.
Jalon Daniels, an undrafted rookie from Kansas, started for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers after starter Baker Mayfield was sidelined with a thumb injury. Daniels completed 19 of 27 attempts for 148 yards and a touchdown, added 55 rushing yards on eight carries, but also threw two interceptions and was sacked three times in the 17-14 defeat.
Mayfield is expected to miss several more weeks, leaving Daniels as the likely starter for the upcoming Thursday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Daniels earned the backup role over Jake Browning during the preseason and will continue to compete for playing time.
Daniels spent six seasons at Kansas, appearing in 49 games and finishing second in school history with 9,282 passing yards and 67 touchdowns. He also amassed 1,445 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns, earning All-Big 12 second-team honors in 2022. Despite a productive senior year, he was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent, receiving a $25,000 signing bonus.
He signed a three-year contract worth $3.125 million, with $272,500 guaranteed. The Buccaneers’ quarterback depth chart now lists Mayfield (injured), Daniels, and two practice-squad players, Easton Stick and Brett Rypien.