Former Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels has earned the No. 2 quarterback job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to multiple reports Sunday.
Daniels, who went undrafted after spending six seasons at Kansas, beat out Connor Bazelak and veteran Jake Browning for the backup role behind starter Baker Mayfield.
Tampa Bay released Bazelak on Saturday and is also parting ways with Browning, clearing the way for Daniels to open the season as Mayfield's backup.
Daniels made a strong impression during the preseason. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 111 yards in Tampa Bay's preseason opener against the New York Jets on Aug. 14 and also rushed for a touchdown.
He followed that performance by helping lead a late comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 22. Daniels completed 9 of 14 passes for 71 yards and threw a touchdown pass to tight end Ko Kieft.
Daniels received his first preseason start Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 yards and lost a fumble in the Buccaneers' 19-0 loss.
Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said the team wanted to give Daniels an extended opportunity to show what he could do.
Daniels, a native of Lawndale, California, started games during portions of all six of his seasons at Kansas and was the Jayhawks' primary starter in 2024 and 2025.
He finished his KU career ranked second in program history in passing yards, touchdown passes, attempts and completions. Daniels earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022 and was selected as the conference's preseason offensive player of the year before the 2023 season.