Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield's backup after contract drama confirmed, and it's a $25K Cinderella story

Jalon Daniels, an undrafted rookie out of Kansas, has secured the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ primary backup quarterback job behind Baker Mayfield after a strong preseason and contract uncertainty. Head coach Todd Bowles praised Daniels’ “smart reads” and controlled play in the preseason opener against the New York Jets, highlighting his pocket presence and quick execution. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport confirmed on X that the Bucs signed Daniels with a $25,000 signing bonus and have promoted him to QB2, surpassing veteran Jake Browning. Tampa Bay also released Browning. The move provides cost-effective depth as Mayfield delays extension talks until after the 2026 season, with Jason Licht expressing confidence Mayfield stays long term.