The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning to a rookie quarterback.
After Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Todd Bowles announced Monday that rookie Jalon Daniels will start at quarterback in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers.
Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks after an MRI confirmed the thumb injury. The good news for Tampa Bay is that the quarterback did not suffer a fracture or ligament damage and will not need surgery.
Daniels Gets His First NFL Start
Daniels entered Sunday’s game after Mayfield was injured, giving the former Kansas star his first regular season NFL action.
Now, just one week later, he will make his first NFL start.
The opportunity is a major one for Daniels, who joined Tampa Bay as an undrafted rookie in May. The Buccaneers entered the season with only two quarterbacks on their active roster, making Daniels the team’s primary backup behind Mayfield.
The Bucs had been impressed with Daniels throughout training camp, and now they will need that development to translate to the regular season.
A Difficult Situation for Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers are already 0-3 after Sunday’s 23-16 loss to Minnesota, making Daniels’ first start even more important.
Tampa Bay will host the Packers in Week 4 before facing the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers during the stretch in which Mayfield is expected to be sidelined.
Daniels will immediately face a major challenge against Green Bay as the Buccaneers try to get their first win of the season.
Daniels Brings Dual Threat Ability
Daniels arrives in Tampa Bay with plenty of college experience.
During his six seasons at Kansas, he completed 734 of 1,193 passes for 9,282 yards and 67 touchdowns while adding 1,445 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.
His final college season was particularly productive. In 2025, Daniels threw for 2,531 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 404 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
That dual-threat ability could give Tampa Bay’s offense another dimension while Mayfield is sidelined.
The Rookie’s Big Opportunity
Daniels now has a chance to show the Buccaneers what he can do with an entire week of preparation as the starting quarterback.
He will have to learn quickly, but Tampa Bay believes he is ready for the opportunity.
Mayfield’s injury has forced the Buccaneers into an unexpected quarterback change just three games into the season.
Now, the rookie gets the call.
Jalon Daniels’ NFL career is officially beginning with a start against the Packers, and Tampa Bay will be hoping its young quarterback can help turn its season around.
