It’s a pivotal Sunday for Jalon Daniels, and the former Kansas star is about to step into the spotlight in a way no Jayhawk quarterback has since the Reagan administration.
Daniels will make his first NFL start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home against Green Bay, replacing Baker Mayfield, who is out for three weeks with a dislocated thumb. The rookie has barely shown anything at the pro level so far - just three pass attempts, one of them intercepted - but he won the No. 2 job in August by beating out veteran Jake Browning and others, a result that caught plenty of national attention during the preseason.
Daniels has already given the NFL crowd something to chew on this week with his own words ahead of the matchup.
“You can’t be a thermometer, you have to be the thermostat."
-Jalon Daniels on making his first career NFL start on Sunday pic.twitter.com/AelbCbheWJ
- NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 30, 2026
His path to this moment runs through Kansas, where he became a key part of Lance Leipold’s rebuild starting in 2021. That season, Daniels helped spark a memorable 57-56 overtime win at Texas, the first of its kind in school history.
Injuries slowed him down in 2022 and 2023 - shoulder and back issues cost him significant time - but he eventually finished his college career in 2026 with 9,282 passing yards, 67 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. Tampa Bay signed him on May 8, 2026.
Daniels also entered the league in a draft class that included Fernando Mendoza of the Raiders, Ty Simpson of the Rams and Carson Beck of the Cardinals.
There’s a reason he could have slipped under the radar. Injuries played a role, Kansas never had sustained success during his run, and undrafted quarterbacks rarely stick around long enough to get a real shot. Still, the NFL has seen undrafted passers break through before when the right pieces are in place, with Kurt Warner, Warren Moon and Tony Romo all serving as examples.
The timing of Daniels’ debut could hardly be more uncomfortable for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are 0-3, coming off a 23-16 loss to the Vikings, and their offense has been sloppy. They converted only two third downs in that game, and the Zac Robinson offense has already turned the ball over seven times this season, including three fumbles in Week 1 against the Bengals and two interceptions last week between Mayfield and Daniels.
Green Bay brings its own issues into the game after a 35-14 home loss to the Falcons in Week 3. The Packers are 1-2 and have had trouble defensively, especially against Atlanta’s run game, while also piling up too many penalties to fully take advantage of Jordan Love’s pocket presence.
For Tampa Bay, Sunday comes down to two simple questions: can Daniels stay protected, and can he do enough in his debut to help the Buccaneers finally get their first regular-season win? The home crowd will be there, and there’s real buzz around the rookie’s ceiling as he gets his first crack at running the offense.
In Other News...
Bill Self Just Opened The Door To More Kansas Roster Changes
Bill Self sounded optimistic when he talked about Kansas roster for the 2026-27 season, and for good reason. The Jayhawks appear to have a blend of returning pieces, transfer help and elite freshman talent, with Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney headlining the incoming class. Self also singled out the prospects of Paul Mbiya and Kohl Rosario as part of the mix, while transfers Keanu Dawes and Christian Reeves give Kansas some added size and depth up front.
Tre White is also expected back with the program, which adds another layer to a roster already taking shape in the background. For a Kansas team that is always balancing the present with what comes next, the intrigue now is how many more adjustments Self wants to make before the picture is truly set, and whether the final version ends up looking as settled as it first seemed. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Is Counting On New Help As Injury Problems Keep Growing
Kansas football has turned to two late additions to help steady a roster that has been stretched thin by injuries. Defensive tackle Clifton Thompson and running back Chase Belcher were cleared for eligibility after an injunction in Indiana, giving the Jayhawks some much-needed reinforcement on both sides of the ball as they try to patch together depth heading into the next stretch of the season.
Thompson arrives with experience as a former second-team all-conference defensive tackle at the FCS level, while Belcher comes in as a transfer from Kennesaw State. Coaches and players around the program are optimistic the pair can settle in quickly, and Kansas will be counting on that transition to move smoothly as the injuries keep piling up. [Read more 🡒]
Tre White Just Changed How Kansas Fans See This Team
Tre Whites arrival has given Kansas a much-needed boost at a time when the roster has looked different than it did only a few months ago. After a wave of offseason departures, the Jayhawks have been reshaped by a new group of players, and the overall reaction around the program has already shown up in the preseason rankings. White fits the kind of addition that can steady a team undergoing that sort of turnover, bringing scoring, defense and a seasoned presence to a group that will need all three.
For Kansas fans, the bigger question now is not whether the talent is there, but how quickly it all comes together. White is expected to be one of the players helping bridge the gap between the programs recent exits and its next version, especially with a young roster leaning on newcomers for immediate production. The early signs suggest the Jayhawks are being viewed differently now, but the real test will come once this new mix starts playing for keeps. [Read more 🡒]