Commanders Rumors: Jayden Daniels to Make NFL Debut vs. Bucs on 2024 Schedule

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will make his NFL debut on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Daniels, a former LSU standout and the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is widely expected to enter the 2024 season as Washington's starter.

The Buccaneers recently shored up their secondary by making safety Antoine Winfield Jr. the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL and will present a formidable test for Daniels in his first trip to Raymond James Stadium.

Tampa Bay is one of six playoff teams Washington is slated to face during the 2024 season.

Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while recording just four interceptions during his senior season at LSU.

Washington will see for the first time whether Daniels' game translates to the NFL as he takes the field against another former Heisman winner in Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield, who won the trophy with Oklahoma in 2017, recently signed a three-year deal with the Buccaneers after recording more than 4,000 passing yards for the first time in his NFL career last season.

This showdown between two former college football stars marks the start of the next era for the Commanders.

Since losing former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2017, the Commanders have gone through 10 quarterbacks in five seasons.

The only Washington signal caller who has played a full season since Cousins is Sam Howell, who matched his 21 touchdowns with 21 interceptions as he struggled with consistency last season.

Washington is hoping they have found their next long-term starter in Daniels. How he performs in Tampa Bay will be the first sign of whether he is up to the task.