The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made it a priority this offseason to upgrade the quarterback position behind Baker Mayfield.
They’ve been fortunate in recent years to keep their starting quarterback healthy, but disaster can strike in just one play. Mayfield played through a ton of injuries last season, and perhaps it would’ve been beneficial for the team if they had a backup capable of keeping the offense afloat and allowing Mayfield to get healthy.
The team signed experienced backup Jake Browning in free agency, and they signed Jalon Daniels out of Kansas as an undrafted free agent. They also brought back Connor Bazelak, who earned a spot on the practice squad after signing as an undrafted free agent last year.
There is some newfound competition at the backup quarterback spot, and the team is quickly falling in love with Daniels.
Jalon Daniels is making a strong impression with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
At his press conference following rookie minicamp Tuesday, Robinson spoke a lot about the team’s offensive draft picks Ted Hurst, Billy Schrauth, and Bauer Sharp.
When asked if any undrafted players have impressed the coaching staff, Robinson named just one player.
“Jalon Daniels was a guy we were excited about. You know, we thought he was going to get drafted. We were really surprised he did not get drafted. He was a guy we brought him in on a 30 visit and enjoyed spending time [with]. He's got great energy about him. He's played a lot of football as well, you know, at Kansas and he's had some ups and downs, faced some adversity, which you love to see from quarterbacks,” said Robinson.
“He sticks out. He's got really good arm talent. He's got some athleticism. He sees the game well. He processes. He’s got to clean up a lot of things fundamentally from college, which most of these guys do. Jalon I thought did a great job just commanding the rookie camp. You know, these guys get in here and you got to have a quarterback that can take charge and get guys lined up. And he did a great job with just the operation. So, he was one that we're definitely excited about.”
The opportunity to take command of the offense at rookie minicamp before the veteran quarterbacks get in the building was a golden opportunity for Daniels to make a first impression, and he took advantage.
The team announced signings of seven undrafted offensive players, and that’s not to mention players who were invited as tryouts. For Daniels to be the biggest standout among that group is an encouraging sign for him.
He’ll have his work cut out for him in beating out Jake Browning this season, but Browning is only on a one-year deal.
Daniels seems like a lock for the practice squad at a minimum. If he can stick around on the practice squad and continue to master the playbook and impress the coaching staff, he has a clear path to becoming the team’s backup quarterback behind Baker Mayfield for years to come.
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