Leipold Celebrates Daniels' Rise to Buccaneers' Backup QB
Jalon Daniels, undrafted out of Kansas, earned the backup quarterback job with Tampa Bay. His former coach Lance Leipold expressed pride in Daniels' perseverance. Daniels ranks second in Kansas history in passing yards.
Daniels spent five seasons at Kansas under Leipold, battling injuries yet finishing second in program history in passing yards behind Todd Reesing. After going undrafted in 2026, he signed with Tampa Bay and impressed during preseason, ultimately surpassing veteran Jake Browning for the QB2 role behind Baker Mayfield. His teammates Isaiah Marshall and Cole Ballard have stayed in touch, and Leipold exchanged texts with Daniels after roster cuts, praising his positivity and loyalty through adversity. Daniels becomes the first undrafted rookie quarterback to open a season as an active backup since Trevone Boykin in 2016.
Daniels’ rise could inspire undrafted players and those facing career setbacks, reinforcing that perseverance and consistent performance can overcome initial rejection. His success may also boost Kansas football’s recruiting narrative, showing that developmental programs can produce NFL-ready talent. For Tampa Bay, having a promising young backup behind Mayfield could provide long-term stability, though his immediate impact depends on injury situations. Fans and young athletes may see his story as a model of resilience, though outcomes remain uncertain.