The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season. Unfortunately for the the NFC South team, it won’t have starting quarterback Baker Mayfield able to play the game.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bucs officially ruled out Mayfield for Sunday’s game vs Steelers. Mayfield is still dealing with a finger injury in his throwing hand, and an additional week of recovery must be needed.
Hence, against the Steelers, it will be the second straight start for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. The Bucs will hope for another victory after a Thursday Night Football upset win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Jalon Daniels and Baker Mayfield’s styles are very different
The Steelers have a tough defense, but planning for a game against Mayfield is very different that game-planning against Daniels. After all, Mayfield is mobile, but he tries to stay as a pocket passer.
Meanwhile, Daniels is extremely mobile, much more dynamic, and elusiveness to the pocket. Daniels’ pocket navigation and scrambling ability is much wider than Mayfield, who can escape the pocket, but usually tries to stay within his progressions.
Steelers defense is a tough test for Daniels
The Pittsburgh Steelers is a very good defense, especially around the edges. The defensive line with TJ Watt (4.5 sacks), Alex Highsmith (3.0 sacks), Cam Heyward (1.0 sack, 17 tackles), and Payton Wilson (1.0 sack, 44 tackles) is absolutely loaded with talent and violence.
SurveyCan Jalon Daniels beat the Steelers?
Can Jalon Daniels beat the Steelers?
ALREADY VOTED 0 PEOPLE
Key takeaways
- Baker Mayfield was ruled out against the Steelers due to a throwing hand finger injury.
- Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will make his second straight start for Tampa Bay.
- T.J. Watt leads the Steelers defense with 4.5 sacks this season.
