Stepping in for injured starter Baker Mayfield for the second straight week, and doing so on a shortened week, Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels became the first undrafted rookie starting quarterback in the common draft era (since 1967) to win a game for a team that entered winless, leading Tampa Bay to a 24-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night at AT&T Stadium.
Daniels, the first rookie quarterback to start in the 2026 season, also became the fourth undrafted rookie to win a primetime game since 2000 and the second to do so on the road.
A six-year starter at the University of Kansas, Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, and added 23 yards on the ground. He was aided by running back Bucky Irving, who rushed for a career-high 165 rushing yards and scored a rushing and receiving touchdown. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who had gotten off to a slow start to the season, also had a rushing touchdown and led the team with six catches.