As the NFL season enters October, the quarterback carousel continues to spin, but this Sunday in Tampa Bay, an unexpected name will take center stage. Jalon Daniels, an undrafted rookie out of Kansas, will become the first rookie quarterback to start a game in the 2026 season when the Buccaneers host the Green Bay Packers. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, Daniels’s ascent from undrafted free agent to starter is a testament to his resilience and poise, especially after Baker Mayfield’s dislocated thumb sidelined the veteran.
Daniels, who spent six years at Kansas and appeared in 49 games, was not among the 10 quarterbacks selected in the 2026 draft. Yet, he outperformed Jake Browning for the backup job this summer and now finds himself under center for a team desperate for a spark. The Buccaneers are 0-3, and a loss to the Packers could send their season into a tailspin. But for Daniels, this is an opportunity to prove that he belongs.
‘The Thermostat, Not the Thermometer’
On Wednesday, Daniels addressed the media and shared the advice he received from Mayfield: “Just stay composed, play as yourself, don’t try to be anybody else besides yourself.” That message resonates with Daniels, who credits his college experience for teaching him to be proactive rather than reactive. “I think that one thing I learned in college was, you can’t be the thermometer, you have to be the thermostat,” Daniels said, via a transcript from the team. “You have to be someone who comes in and is able to set the temperature of the room, not test the room and try to be able to blend in with it. If a team is low, I have to be able to pick it up to be able to make sure that they’re even. If we’re high, then I have to be able to be low to be able to make sure that we’re even. I try to be as even-keel as possible. I think that being able to go out there and have that even-keeled feel, the team around you feels that.”
That mindset will be crucial against a Packers defense that ranks in the top 10 in passing yards allowed. Daniels’s ability to stay calm under pressure and elevate those around him will be tested early and often. But if his college tape is any indication, he thrives when the odds are stacked against him.
From Undrafted to Unlikely Starter
Daniels’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. After going undrafted, he signed with the Buccaneers and quickly made an impression on the coaching staff with his athleticism and decision-making. His dual-threat ability—he rushed for over 2,000 yards at Kansas—adds a dimension that the Buccaneers’ offense has lacked. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has reportedly been impressed with Daniels’s command of the playbook and his ability to extend plays with his legs.
“He’s a natural leader,” a team source told Vulius Sports. “The guys rally around him. He doesn’t get too high or too low, and that’s exactly what you want in a rookie quarterback.”
The Stakes Are High
An 0-3 start has led to speculation about head coach Todd Bowles’s job security. A win on Sunday would not only quiet the noise but also give the Buccaneers a much-needed boost of confidence. For Daniels, the best thing he can do is cool things down by helping the team win a game. That’s a big ask for a rookie making his first start, but Daniels has already defied the odds.
As the Buccaneers prepare for the Packers, all eyes will be on the undrafted rookie. Can he be the thermostat that sets the temperature for a team in desperate need of a spark? The answer will unfold on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
“You have to be someone who comes in and is able to set the temperature of the room, not test the room and try to be able to blend in with it.” – Jalon Daniels
For more NFL insights and analysis, stay tuned to Vulius Sports, your premier destination for in-depth coverage and official custom NFL merchandise.
Looking to represent Baker Mayfield? Grab your Baker Mayfield jersey or design a personalized NFL Jerseys at Vulius.
