The Buccaneers are showing real confidence in undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels.
Tampa Bay has elevated Daniels to the backup role behind Baker Mayfield after choosing to move on from veteran Jake Browning.
Daniels, 23, earned the No. 2 spot with a strong training camp and preseason performance, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport.
Browning, who joined the Buccaneers in the offseason on a deal that included $400,000 guaranteed, was released Sunday as the team completed its roster decisions.
The move stands out given the ongoing questions about Tampa Bay’s quarterback plans beyond the immediate future.
Mayfield, 31, is entering the final season of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2024. He is scheduled to make $40 million in 2026 and notably said he “felt disrespected” following negotiations over a possible long-term deal during the off-season.
“That’s really the disappointing part — to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it,” said Mayfield, who added that his agent is “not going to be bothering him with” any possible extension talks unless his value is appropriately recognized.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht said this week that he’s “optimistic” about the sides coming to terms.
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“I’m very optimistic about it,” Licht said during the broadcast of the Bucs’ third preseason game at the Jacksonville Jaguars. “He wants to play. He wants to prove to us that he is the franchise quarterback that we said that he was. So, we’ll just have to see how it plays out. I’ll never close the door on anything in the short term, but right now, he’s focused on football.”
The contract expires after the season, making Mayfield eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2027.
This makes Tampa Bay’s confidence in Daniels especially interesting.
The undrafted rookie completed 27 of 44 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions during three preseason games.
He also rushed 14 times for 37 yards and another touchdown.
Daniels helped lead second-half comebacks against the Jets and Chiefs in the preseason months after going undrafted following a quality career at Kansas.
The 6-foot-1, 219-pound quarterback appeared in 49 college games and completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 9,282 yards, 67 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.
Daniels also accumulated 1,445 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, tying the Kansas career record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
His best statistical season came in 2025, when he started all 12 games and recorded career highs of 2,531 passing yards and 22 touchdown passes, while adding 404 yards and four rushing touchdowns.