2026 · WEEK 5 CLOSE
$816+2.8%1W+218%SINCE '26 DRAFTHIGH $816
AGE23Oct 29, 2002
EXPRookiesince 2026
HEIGHT6'0"
inherits 2% of TB carries (32% vacated, his claim 7%)
Daniels will be the Buccaneers' starting quarterback against the Steelers after Baker Mayfield (right thumb) was ruled out.
It will be Daniels' third consecutive start under center, as Mayfield continues to be sidelined by a dislocated right thumb that prevented the veteran from practicing all week. Daniels led the Buccaneers to their first victory of the season in Week 5 against the Cowboys, when he completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown while turning seven carries into 23 yards.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Friday that he plans on starting Daniels in Week 6 against Pittsburgh, Scott Smith reports.
Bowles used a "right now" qualifier, so he wasn't exactly committing to Daniels over Baker Mayfield (thumb) in Week 6. The decision mostly comes down to Mayfield's health, but the Bucs could also opt to be more cautious after seeing Daniels keep a run-first offense afloat the past two games.
Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while rushing seven times for 23 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-16 win over the Cowboys on Thursday night.
Daniels didn't have the luxury of a normal practice week after making his starting debut in a Week 4 home loss to the Packers, but the undrafted rookie from Kansas looked like a significantly improved player just four days later on the road. Daniels commanded the Buccaneers offense with poise throughout the night, spreading the ball around to seven different targets and remaining free of turnovers after throwing a pair of interceptions against Green Bay. Daniels also connected with Bucky Irving for a five-yard touchdown pass to open the second quarter, his second career scoring toss. With some valuable experience now under his belt, Daniels will have some additional time to prepare for a Week 6 home matchup against the Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 18.
Everyone sharing the ball with Jalon, most valuable first.
Above the line the plan was to throw; below it, to run.
Head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Daniels will step in as the Buccaneers' new starting quarterback while Baker Mayfield is out for a "minimum of three weeks" due to a dislocated right thumb, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
The undrafted rookie made his NFL debut in relief of an injured Mayfield late in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings, rushing once for nine yards while failing to complete his first two pass attempts of the day before being intercepted on a Hail Mary as time expired. Since an MRI ruled out any damage to his thumb beyond the dislocation, Mayfield is expected to avoid a stint on injured reserve, but he doesn't appear in line to return to the lineup any sooner than Week 8 at Carolina. As a result, Daniels is now set to get his first extended NFL action beginning this Sunday, when the Buccaneers will host the Packers. During his six-year college career at Kansas, Daniels displayed some decent arm talent and scrambling ability, but concerns about his accuracy and ability to dissect defenses played a large part in him going undrafted.
Daniels took over for an injured Baker Mayfield (thumb) during Sunday's 23-16 defeat to the Vikings, with the former failing to complete any of his three passes with an interception and recording one nine-yard rush.
Mayfield threw a pick with just under two minutes left in the matchup and then remained down as he favored his right hand before immediately heading to the locker room. Daniels, an undrafted rookie, took over the offense with 28 seconds remaining and the Buccaneers down seven points, but he was unable to lead a game-winning drive while tossing an interception of his own on the last play of the contest. Head coach Todd Bowles told Greg Auman of Fox Sports that Mayfield sustained a dislocated thumb on his right throwing hand, and if the veteran signal-caller does miss time, Daniels would be poised for his first career start next Sunday against the Packers.
The QBs priced immediately above and below him.
