Who is Jalon Daniels? College, stats, what to know about Buccaneers QB
USA Today • • sports
Key Points:
- Jalon Daniels, an undrafted quarterback from Kansas, became the first rookie QB to start in the 2026 NFL season during the Buccaneers' Week 4 loss to the Packers after Baker Mayfield's thumb injury.
- Daniels completed 19 of 27 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, ran for 55 yards, but also threw two interceptions and was sacked three times in his debut.
- Daniels had a notable college career at Kansas, ranking second all-time in passing yards (9,282) and touchdowns (67), and earned All-Big 12 second-team honors in 2022.
- Despite his strong college performance, Daniels went undrafted but signed a three-year, $3.125 million contract with the Buccaneers, including a $25,000 signing bonus.
- Daniels is currently the Buccaneers' backup quarterback behind the injured Mayfield, with Easton Stick and Brett Rypien on the practice squad.
