Jalon Daniels Turns Heads in Impressive NFL Preseason Debut with Buccaneers

Jalon Daniels Turns Heads in Impressive NFL Preseason Debut with Buccaneers Former Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels couldn't have asked for a much better start to his NFL career. After signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft, Daniels made the most of his first preseason opportunity Friday night, helping lead the Buccaneers to a 24-16 victory over the New York Jets while earning praise from head coach Todd Bowles. Daniels completed 10 of his 15 pass attempts for 111 yards and added a rushing touchdown, displaying the dual-threat ability that made him one of the most exciting quarterbacks in Kansas football history. Bowles was particularly impressed with Daniels' composure, something the rookie showed throughout his first extended NFL action. "Poised, he went in relaxed, and we knew he could make off-schedule plays out of the pocket, but he played very confident in the pocket," Bowles said. "He made the right reads. He zipped some throws in there. I thought he played very well." The performance came at an important time for Daniels, who entered training camp battling former Missouri, Indiana and Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak for positioning behind established starter Baker Mayfield. While both reserve quarterbacks saw action against the Jets, Daniels generated much of the postgame buzz after efficiently directing Tampa Bay's offense. The outing also represented a significant step forward from some of the inconsistencies that surfaced during the final years of Daniels' college career. Although he finished his Kansas tenure as one of the greatest quarterbacks in program history, injuries and occasional attempts to force big plays sometimes limited his effectiveness. Bowles believes Daniels showed maturity by trusting the offense instead of trying to do too much. "He took what they gave him," Bowles said. "He didn't try to get out of there too fast, and he was calm under pressure, and he let the system work for him as opposed to just trying to make a play and be seen. He did some very good things tonight from a poise standpoint." Daniels left Kansas as one of the most accomplished players in school history. During his career in Lawrence, he threw for 9,282 yards and 67 touchdowns while adding 1,445 rushing yards and 23 scores on the ground. His play helped elevate the Jayhawks from one of the nation's struggling programs into a consistent bowl contender under Lance Leipold. While one strong preseason game won't guarantee a roster spot, it certainly strengthened his case as the Buccaneers continue evaluating their quarterback room. His ability to extend plays with his legs while remaining composed in the pocket gives Tampa Bay another intriguing developmental option behind Mayfield. Daniels will have another opportunity to build on his impressive debut when the Buccaneers face the Kansas City Chiefs in their second preseason game on Aug. 22. If he continues to perform with the same poise and efficiency he showed against the Jets, he'll put himself in an excellent position to earn a spot on Tampa Bay's 53-man roster. Join the Community Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundtable-rtb/id6450423049) and stay even more connected!