The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a new starting quarterback Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Jalon Daniels will take over after Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb.
Daniels went undrafted in 2026 and will become the first quarterback from this year's rookie class to start an NFL regular-season game.
From undrafted rookie to NFL starter
Daniels spent six seasons at Kansas and appeared in 49 college games before joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He won Tampa Bay's backup quarterback competition over Jake Browning during the summer.
Now Daniels will have the opportunity to lead a Buccaneers offense that opened the season 0-3 and desperately needs a victory.
Mayfield offered advice before Daniels' debut
Daniels said Mayfield advised him to stay composed and play his own game. The young quarterback will face a difficult test against Green Bay in his first NFL start.
The opportunity is also a historic moment for Daniels, who went from going undrafted to becoming the first quarterback from his class to receive the responsibility of starting an NFL game.