The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need backup quarterback Jalon Daniels to keep the team afloat and win some games after an 0-3 start. He is feeling confident and excited for his opportunity.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a big blow to an already tough 0-3 start on Sunday, with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield suffering an injury to his right thumb.
Following the loss, head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that Mayfield will miss at least three weeks, but did confirm that the MRI results were negative for fractures or tears.
This means undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels, who had an incredible offseason, will be the starter for the foreseeable future.
On Wednesday, Daniels was asked about his mindset heading into his official NFL debut, where he went viral with his response.
"You can’t be a thermometer, you have to be the thermostat," Daniels said.
The former Kansas standout went onto explain that he doesn't plan on trying to blend in with the rest of the room, rather "setting the temperature."
In the preseason, Daniels led Tampa to two victories, earning the backup role after leading a comeback win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite entering the game facing a 9-0 deficit, Daniels finished 9-for-14 for 71 yards and the TD, while rushing seven times for an additional 19 yards, leading Tampa to a one-point win.
His lone score was an impressive throw, fitting in a tight-window pass to Ko Kieft for a 2-yard touchdown.
In the week following the win, General Manager Jason Licht began praising his secondary QB, saying that the front office's talk shifted from "He needs to show he isn't ready for the No. 2 spot," to "proving that he is."
Daniels' physical traits pop off the screen when watching, as he moves extremely well out of the pocket, and has a rocket for an arm.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson even went as far to say that Daniels has one of the best arms he has been around, which is strong praise for a guy who has coached gunslingers like Michael Penix Jr. and Matthew Stafford.
By making the official NFL roster and beating out presumed backup Jake Browning, Daniels also ended a 36-year drought for Jayhawks quarterbacks making the 52-man squad, representing the first since 1990.
He will make his debut against the Green Bay Packers at home on Sunday, against an NFC North squad who also needs a victory to begin turning around their season.
Thus far, the Micah Parsons-less Packers have been one of the worst defenses in the NFL, surrendering over 30 points per game on average to their first three opponents.
But, the passing defense has been strong, giving up only 202 yards through the air per contest.
Expect Daniels to use his legs early to try and get acclimated, with Robinson looking to take his shots later in the game.
