Daniels named Buccaneers starter as Mayfield faces weeks out
Coach Todd Bowles says undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will lead Tampa Bay while Baker Mayfield recovers from a dislocated thumb.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles has named Jalon Daniels the team’s starting quarterback after Baker Mayfield dislocated his right throwing thumb against Minnesota. Bowles told WFLA that Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks; no return date was given.
Daniels, an undrafted rookie, is set to start against the Green Bay Packers, with the Cowboys and Steelers next on Tampa Bay’s schedule. The Buccaneers began the season 0–3, according to the source report.
Tampa Bay made Daniels its primary backup after training camp and pre-season. Across three pre-season games, he completed 27 of 44 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, and recorded 37 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The quarterback change puts Daniels into a consequential run of games, but the source provides no confirmed outcome for that stretch. Mayfield’s absence is a minimum estimate, and his return timing remains uncertain.
