The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will start Jalon Daniels at quarterback while Baker Mayfield misses the next three weeks with a dislocated thumb. Daniels, an undrafted rookie signed in May, won the backup job over Jake Browning during preseason.
Daniels, who turns 24 in a month, spent all six of his college seasons at Kansas. He completed 61.5% of his passes there for 9,282 yards, with 67 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.
General manager Jason Licht said Tampa Bay valued Daniels’ talent and preparation over experience alone, while acknowledging the rookie would face a learning curve. With Daniels starting, the Buccaneers need another quarterback on the game-day roster. Easton Stick is on the practice squad, though the team may seek a longer-term fit.
