Bucs Jalon Daniels First Undrafted QB in NFL History to Start Before a Drafted QB in Same Class
Due to injury, Tampa Bay had to turn to their backup quarterback. And their rookie is making some interesting history. The Bucs Jalon Daniels is the first undrafted QB in NFL history to start a game before a drafted QB in the same class.
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels makes history as Tampa’s starter, ending Baker Mayfield’s impressive 57-game streak. Not only will undrafted Jalon Daniels be the first rookie QB to start this season, he is also the first Tampa Bay backup to start a game since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018. A remarkable stretch of health that the Buccaneers franchise has enjoyed at the QB position for the better part of a decade.
Case in point, Baker Mayfield started 57 straight games (postseason included since joining the Bucs in 2023. However, that streak ends today and rookie QB Jalon Daniels will make his first NFL start. He becomes the first rookie in the NFL to start at quarterback this season. None of the 10 rookie quarterbacks drafted this year — Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Cole Payton, Taylen Green, Athan Kaliakmanis, Behren Morton or Garrett Nussmeier — have started a game entering Week 4.
Nevertheless, how is Baker Mayfield progressing? Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles says Baker Mayfield will miss at least three weeks due to his dislocated right thumb, but that is the minimum. Mayfield is dealing with a dislocated thumb that is expected to sideline the star quarterback anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on how quickly he is able to grip the football.
Bucs Jalon Daniels First Undrafted QB in NFL History to Start Before a Drafted QB in Same Class
So then, Tampa Bay’s best scenario is Mayfield missing about a month. At least three games. But in football time, that’s a huge chunk of games to be without your offensive leader.
However, the Tampa Bay organization feels that they can weather their QB storm with Daniels. They believe heartily in the rookie, after Jalon impressed the Bucs at camp. Won his backup spot over Jake Browning.
After Daniels went undrafted, the Buccaneers signed him to a deal that included a $25,000 signing bonus. Plus, guaranteed his practice squad salary of $247,500. It’s a bit unusual for teams to guarantee the full practice squad salary. However, the Bucs chose to do so for Jalon.
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