TAMPA - Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels threw two interceptions in his first NFL start Sunday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped to 0-4 with a 17-14 home loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season.
Daniels completed 19 of 26 attempts for 148 yards and one touchdown, adding 55 rushing yards on eight carries, but his two turnovers proved decisive. Green Bay converted both interceptions into scoring drives, building a 17-7 lead through three quarters that Tampa Bay could not fully overcome.
The Packers drew first blood when Evan Williams intercepted Daniels at the Green Bay 32-yard line in the first quarter, setting up a 68-yard scoring drive capped by a two-yard Matthew Golden touchdown. Green Bay linebacker Edgerrin Cooper added a second interception before halftime, returning it 18 yards to the 44-yard line, and Packers kicker Trey Smack converted a 58-yard field goal just before the break to give Green Bay a 10-7 lead.
Green Bay extended its advantage to 17-7 early in the third quarter on a two-yard Tucker Kraft touchdown catch - a score initially ruled an incomplete pass on the field before a successful Packers challenge reversed the call. Packers quarterback Jordan Love finished 22 of 30 for 198 yards and two touchdowns against one interception.
Daniels rallied the Buccaneers with an 84-yard touchdown drive to open the fourth quarter, capping the possession by rolling left under pressure and hitting running back Kenny Gainwell on a 10-yard scoring strike to cut the deficit to 17-14. The Bucs totaled 275 yards and converted five of 12 third-down attempts.
Tampa Bay had two late chances to tie or take the lead but could not finish. Defensive tackle Vita Vea forced a fumble by Packers running back Kaleb Johnson in the red zone, and cornerback Zyon McCollum recovered at the Tampa Bay four-yard line, but a botched snap and a Graham Barton fumble ended the ensuing drive. Cornerback Jacob Parrish then intercepted Love with under five minutes remaining at the Tampa Bay seven-yard line, returning it eight yards to the 15, but Daniels was unable to convert on fourth-and-11 when Evan Williams came free off the edge and forced an incompletion.
Linebackers Josiah Trotter and Edgerrin Cooper each recorded nine combined tackles to lead their respective defenses. Trotter had missed Week 3 with a shoulder injury suffered in the Cleveland game; Head Coach Todd Bowles had cleared him to play Friday, saying Trotter is “good” for the contest. Wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. led Tampa Bay receivers with six catches for 31 yards, while running back Bucky Irving carried 16 times for 61 yards.
Four Buccaneers were ruled out before kickoff: outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (groin/shoulder), tight end Ko Kieft (elbow), quarterback Baker Mayfield (right thumb) and cornerback Benjamin Morrison (quad). Bowles said of Morrison’s quad injury, which developed in Thursday’s practice: “He was tight. I’m not sure yet [on future games]. I just know he’s out this week.”
The Buccaneers travel to Arlington, Texas, to face the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 8:15 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium during Thursday Night Football in Week 5.