Jenna Laine
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- Jenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Jenna is a former cheerleader at the University of South Florida and speaks to the consistency of the program as being one of the top best in the nation.
TAMPA, Fla. — Throughout last week, teammates of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers urged rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels to take the final step.
Daniels told ESPN that the team’s quarterbacks pushed him on the matter.
“I was talking to the quarterbacks beforehand and they basically were just like, ‘If you get the opportunity to ask him, you better ask him,'” Daniels said.
Fellow Buccaneers quarterback Brett Rypien told Daniels, “If you didn’t ask him, I was going to ask for you,” Daniels recalled.
They were discussing Daniels’ meeting with his idol, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who on Sunday led Pittsburgh to a 26-19 come-from-behind overtime victory over the host Buccaneers.
“Last season, last go around for him. So, I had to ask before he got up out of here,” Daniels said, referring to Rodgers’ plans to retire following the 2026 campaign.
Daniels summoned the courage and was met with a long embrace, which was captured on camera postgame and showed a tender side of Rodgers not often seen because of his intensity in games.
“some of these kids were watching me when they were in diapers.” @AaronRodgers12 https://t.co/oxak7YCWqU
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2026
“I mean, it was kind of crazy,” Daniels said. “So, just kind of … without trying to completely ask that — I don’t want to be that guy — and he was just like, ‘I know exactly what you’re getting at. I’ll give you the jersey.’ And then I’m like, ‘All right man, thank you.'” The pair shook hands. Daniels then heard something he never imagined: the Super Bowl winner and future Pro Football Hall of Fame wanted his jersey too.
“[I] was about to walk away and he was like, ‘Wait, hold on. Can I get yours?'” Daniels recalled Rodgers asking. “Now, that’s kind of what caught me by surprise.”
What Daniels did not know was how much Rodgers knew of and respected his game from afar. The week prior, the 2026 undrafted free agent led the Bucs to a 24-16 primetime upset at the Dallas Cowboys. It was the Bucs’ first victory of the season and just Daniels’ second career start, which came unexpectedly after starter Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb in Week 3.
“I appreciate the respect,” Rodgers said of Daniels on the CBS broadcast. “Super respectful guy. I like his game. I like the way he throws it. Obviously, super talented with his feet. I’m excited to see how he develops. Learning behind a guy who’s played a long time like Baker is obviously going to be great for him.”
Daniels was touched by the praise.
“I respect that, as well,” he said. “It’s not every day you hear that from a Hall of Famer.”
Jalon Daniels swapping jerseys with his childhood hero is why sports are awesome https://t.co/ay5z5sonlU
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 20, 2026
Rodgers’ ability to perform in high-pressure situations, make passes from different angles, get out of the pocket and throw off-platform were elements Daniels tried to bring to his own game. As a six-year starter at Kansas, Daniels had initially been expected to redshirt before eventually playing a prominent role. His career as a Buccaneer began in a similar fashion, as he did not hear his name called during draft weekend and started Bucs training camp fourth on the depth chart. He moved all the way up to No. 2 by beating out veteran Jake Browning, who had previously started 10 career games for the Cincinnati Bengals, by giving the Bucs an offensive spark in the preseason.
Daniels said the moment with Rodgers “absolutely” lifted his spirits.
At one point Sunday, Tampa Bay was leading 16-3. But Rodgers mounted a fourth-quarter comeback while the Steelers’ defense clamped down. Daniels threw two fourth-quarter interceptions, and the Bucs fell to 1-5.
“It wasn’t easy,” Daniels said, “but it comes with the game.”