TAMPA - Jalon Daniels, the first undrafted rookie ever to start at quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will make his second career start Thursday night in Dallas when the Buccaneers face the Cowboys in Week Five, Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed after Sunday’s 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Daniels stepped in for Baker Mayfield, who dislocated his right thumb and is expected to miss at least two more games after starting 57 consecutive games - postseason included - since joining the Buccaneers in 2023. Daniels threw two interceptions but also connected for a touchdown pass to running back Kenny Gainwell, added 55 rushing yards, and became the first rookie quarterback to start an NFL game this season, ahead of all 10 quarterbacks taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Yeah, he’ll be the quarterback Thursday night,” Bowles said. “He had some ups and he had some downs, but for his first time out there, he didn’t panic, he didn’t do anything. He escaped, used his legs well at times. It’s his first game - he’s going to have some ups and downs.”
Daniels, who was not drafted after a six-year career at Kansas before signing with Tampa Bay, said the moment did not overwhelm him. “I wouldn’t say it took me some time to get comfortable,” he said. “I was seeing everything right. [I was able to] see everything that they were doing and was able to come back to the sideline and [was] able to communicate that with the rest of the team and my coaching staff.”
Wide receiver Ted Hurst, who hauled in a 21-yard sideline pass from Daniels in the second quarter on what he described as an extremely precise throw - a play that helped set up Sean Tucker’s two-yard touchdown run - backed his quarterback’s performance. “Mistakes are going to happen - nobody is going to play a perfect game, but Jalon’s dedication to the game and his energy [rubs] off on everyone, good or bad,” Hurst said. “I feel like he played [well]. He gave us what we needed. He gave us an opportunity to win.”
Daniels said he intends to bring the same demeanor into Thursday’s short-week preparation. “Be the same person every single day,” he said. “I don’t care how bad things can get or how good things are - if you’re not the same person every single day, you’re not staying true to yourself. I’m going to do everything I can to be able to make sure we’re going to be able to go out there and try to win a football game on Thursday Night Football.”
The Buccaneers face the Cowboys in Dallas on Thursday night in Week Five.