TAMPA - Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels will make his first NFL start Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium, thrust into the spotlight after Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb in the final moments of Tampa Bay’s 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Daniels becomes the first undrafted free agent quarterback as a rookie to start for Tampa Bay. During the preseason, he passed for 239 yards and a touchdown, posting an 83.4 passer rating, while adding 37 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Thirty of the Bucs’ 33 preseason points came on drives Daniels engineered.
The Buccaneers enter Week Four winless and searching for offensive rhythm, though their defense has been a bright spot. Tampa Bay held opponents to just 230 total yards in Week Three - second-fewest allowed since the start of the 2025 season - and its 13% third-down conversion rate allowed tied for the lowest mark in the NFL among teams facing 15-plus third-down opportunities over that same span.
The offensive line faces a stiff test protecting the rookie. Tampa Bay has surrendered a league-high 13.0 sacks this season, and Green Bay’s Lukas Van Ness leads the Packers with 2.5 sacks. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who has been isolated one-on-one with a defender on 84.4% of his pass blocks - the sixth-highest rate among left tackles - will draw the assignment of shielding Daniels from Van Ness.
On the ground, the Bucs may find an opening. Green Bay’s run defense ranks 28th in the NFL, allowing an average of 138.7 yards per game. With Bucky Irving limited in practice this week due to a glute ailment, Kenny Gainwell could carry a heavier workload. Gainwell combines change-of-direction ability with sharp cutting skills and a low center of gravity.
Green Bay’s passing attack presents the defense’s biggest challenge. Christian Watson leads the Packers with 17 receptions, 284 receiving yards and four touchdowns, ranking fifth in the league in receiving yards and among only eight players with more than 250. Cornerback Zyon McCollum is expected to shadow Watson. Among cornerbacks with 100-plus coverage snaps in 2026, McCollum’s 69.3 passer rating when targeted ranks ninth-lowest in the NFL, and his 28.6% hawk rate is fourth-highest.
The Packers also enter Sunday shorthanded up front. Starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele was placed on injured reserve after tearing his patellar tendon in Week Two, with former second-round pick Anthony Belton stepping into the starting role. Bucs outside linebacker David Walker, who leads Tampa Bay with 2.0 sacks despite playing just 28 snaps through the first three weeks, will look to exploit that matchup.
Kickoff Sunday at Raymond James Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.