Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is being thrust into an almost impossible situation, but he won't hide his excitement at realizing a dream come true.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter their Week 4 showdown against the Green Bay Packers with their backs up against the wall.
At 0-3, the Bucs' margin for error is almost zero, and they will turn to an undrafted rookie quarterback as their season nears collapse after starter Baker Mayfield dislocated his thumb late in Tampa's Week 3 loss.
Jalon Daniels was one of the preseason's best stories. He started the offseason as an afterthought and was buried on the depth chart as QB4. If he had a strong camp and preseason, many thought Daniels could make a strong case for the practice squad.
Instead, Daniels exceeded everyone's expectations. He made quick work of passing Connor Bazelak for the QB3 job after a fantastic performance in Tampa's first preseason game.
The following week, Daniels was outstanding once again, and it became clear that he not only had a legitimate chance at making the roster but also at winning the job as Mayfield's backup over veteran Jake Browning.
When the Bucs made their initial 53-man roster, the team decided to go with Daniels over Browning. Though it was a major risk to give the QB2 job to an undrafted rookie with zero experience, it was clear the organization valued Daniels' youth and upside over Browning's experience.
Daniels gave the Bucs and their fans plenty of reasons to be excited for his future, but nobody expected him to be called upon so soon. In his first three seasons in Tampa, Mayfield never missed a game. This season, he couldn't make it through three before suffering an injury that will require him to miss time.
Now Daniels will have to keep the Bucs within striking distance until Mayfield returns. What can the team expect from the undrafted rookie?
Despite the almost impossible situation Daniels has been thrust into, the rookie is all smiles, telling reporters that it is a dream come true.
"It Means Everything"
Amazingly, Daniels, after going undrafted, will be the first rookie QB to start a game in the NFL this season. He was asked about his excitement level for his NFL start, and the 23-year-old couldn't hide his happiness.
"I mean, yeah, I don't even know if I can put it into words. I mean, I've continued to say it's a dream come true to even play for an NFL organization. To be able to go out there and have my first NFL career start, it means everything."
Daniels is being counted on to save Tampa's season. The rookie earned enough trust from his coaches to win the job over a solid veteran in Browning. Now, he is getting his chance to show the world that the Bucs made the right decision.
Final Thoughts
Even in a nearly impossible situation for any backup QB, let alone an undrafted rookie, Daniels is approaching the opportunity with nothing but positivity.
Daniels quickly became a fan favorite with his stellar play in the preseason. If he can win a couple of games and keep the Bucs' season alive until Mayfield returns, Daniels may become a hero.
