Jalon Daniels Secures Buccaneers QB2 Spot After 239-Yard Preseason

Undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels has officially been named the backup to Baker Mayfield following a preseason where he completed 61.4% of his passes.

Jalon Daniels, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Kansas, has secured the backup quarterback position for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to begin the season. The decision, reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Sunday, places Daniels directly behind starter Baker Mayfield on the depth chart. During the preseason, Daniels appeared in all three exhibition contests, completing 61.4% of his pass attempts for 239 yards and one touchdown. He added 37 rushing yards and a score on the ground, outperforming veteran Jake Browning for the role.

In the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Daniels started the game but struggled as the Buccaneers suffered a 19-0 shutout loss. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 yards and lost a fumble during the defeat. Despite the offensive difficulties in that final outing, head coach Todd Bowles noted that the team would evaluate the film to ensure the rookie was comfortable with the overall operation of the offense. Daniels joined the franchise earlier this year on a contract that featured a signing bonus of only $25,000.

Roster Cuts and Quarterback Changes

To accommodate Daniels on the 53-man roster, the Buccaneers will release veteran Jake Browning on Sunday. Browning had joined Tampa Bay earlier this year on a one-year contract but was unable to hold off the rookie for the QB2 spot. This move comes as the front office finalizes the active roster ahead of the regular season deadline. Daniels began training camp as a significant long shot to make the team, yet his performance throughout the summer camp sessions and three games shifted the coaching staff's perspective.

Backfield Adjustments and Contract Details

Tampa Bay also made significant moves regarding their running back room. Sean Tucker has agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million in guaranteed money, which includes additional incentives. Tucker was previously slated to receive $3.52 million under a restricted free agent tender. He is now positioned as the RB3, slotting in behind starter Bucky Irving and primary backup Kenny Gainwell.

Simultaneously, the team is waiving running back Josh Williams, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. Williams recorded 57 rushing yards on 18 carries and scored one touchdown during the preseason while competing for the third-string role. The release of Williams and Browning coincides with the league-wide roster reduction to 53 players.

Evaluating the Preseason Performance

Coach Todd Bowles emphasized that the evaluation process focused on more than just completion percentages following the 19-0 loss to Jacksonville. He stated that the offensive performance "wasn't very good" during the Friday night finale, leading the staff to prioritize the film review of Daniels' operational efficiency. Daniels beat out a veteran with a one-year deal despite his status as an undrafted free agent who received minimal guaranteed money upon signing. The Buccaneers' depth chart is now solidified with Mayfield, Daniels, Irving, Gainwell, and Tucker occupying key offensive skill positions as the team moves past the final roster cut deadline on Sunday.