The Bucs might be on upset alert in Week 1 of the regular season.
The Commanders, Tampa's opponent to start the 2024 season, announced that rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels won the starting job after two impressive preseason games.
Jayden Daniels has been named the starting quarterback pic.twitter.com/iGrHggN2nP
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 19, 2024
With Daniels set as Washington's Week 1 starter, Tampa Bay's inconsistent history against rookie quarterbacks has come into focus.
Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman shared that from 2011-17, the Bucs were 1-11 against rookie quarterbacks.
With news that Jayden Daniels will start for Washington in the opener vs. Bucs in Tampa, lots of people are mentioning Tampa Bay's history against rookie quarterbacks. At one point, Bucs were terrible against rookies -- went 1-11 against rookie QBs from 2011-17. However ...
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 19, 2024
Auman noted that the team has improved since head coach Todd Bowles became defensive coordinator in 2019.
Tampa Bay is 10-5 against rookies during that span, but was shredded by Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in a 39-37 Week 9 last season.
Bucs have been much better against rookie QBs since Todd Bowles' arrival in 2019. In those five years, Tampa Bay is 10-5 against rookie QBs, and that includes the loss in the 2022 finale where they rested starters against the Falcons and Desmond Ridder.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 19, 2024
The 2023 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year was 30-of-42 for a season-high 470 yards and five touchdowns. He led Houston on its winning 75-yard drive with 46 seconds remaining.
Like Stroud, Daniels was selected with the No. 2 overall pick.
This preseason, Daniels is 12-of-15 (80 percent) for 123 yards. He's added 16 yards and a touchdown on three rushing attempts.
While Daniels shouldn't be expected to duplicate Stroud's epic performance, Commander head coach Dan Quinn didn't name him the starter to lose games.
He's been sharp in the preseason, showing the same elite talent he displayed while winning the Heisman last year at LSU. After five college seasons, it should shock no one if Daniels hits the ground running in the pros.
Per ESPN Bet, the Bucs are a 3.5-point favorite against the Commanders in Week 1. But with Tampa's spotty history against rookie quarterbacks, it can't afford to overlook Washington.
