A swap to remember: Jalon Daniels exchanges jerseys with his idol, Aaron Rodgers

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  Jenna LaineOct 21, 2026, 07:52 PM ET

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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.

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TAMPA, Fla. -- All last week, teammates of Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels urged him to do it.

"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 told ESPN.

Fellow Buccaneers quarterback Brett Rypien told Daniels, "If you didn't ask him, I was going to ask for you," Daniels recalled.

They were talking about Daniels meeting his idol -- Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who on Sunday led Pittsburgh to a 26-19 come-from-behind overtime victory over the host Bucs -- and asking for a jersey.

"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 to do so and was met with a long embrace, which was captured on camera postgame and showed a tender side to Rodgers not often seen because of his intensity in games.

"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 Famer 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 didn't 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."

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 for Kansas -- after Daniels was initially supposed to redshirt. Daniels' career as a Buccaneer began in similar fashion by not hearing his name called at all during draft weekend and starting 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."