TAMPA - Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels will make his first career start Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers close out a three-game homestand against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium, with Tampa Bay still searching for its first win of the 2026 season.
Daniels steps in after starter Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb, a forced change that has divided analysts on whether the rookie represents a liability or a potential spark for a Buccaneers offense that has struggled to find its footing. Tampa Bay enters as 3.5-point underdogs at home and has drawn little support from prognosticators this week.
NFL.com analyst Bobby Kownack sees a path for Daniels to surprise. “Once upon a time, undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito led the Giants to a shocking upset over the Packers, rushing for 71 yards while throwing for another 158 and a touchdown,” Kownack wrote. “That was against a 2023 version of Green Bay playing far better than a Packers squad currently in full-blown crisis mode.”
“Daniels finding a way to spark Tampa Bay’s struggling offense isn’t as farfetched as it might seem,” Kownack added, noting that Daniels impressed enough in the preseason to win the backup job.
Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, Tampa Bay does hold a recent edge in the series, having won three of its last four games against Green Bay, including playoff matchups. The two franchises shared the same division for 25 years before realignment.
Green Bay arrives with its own problems. The Packers are dealing with an injury-depleted offensive line that has allowed a high pressure rate, and their rushing attack ranks last in the league. Green Bay also had extra preparation time after playing on Thursday night in Week Three. Analysts remain confident in the Packers’ passing game, anchored by quarterback Jordan Love alongside receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.
Kickoff is Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.