The Bucs’ full 2024 schedule won’t be unveiled until Wednesday night, but announcements and leaks for teams all across the league have begun to hit social media throughout the week. A Tampa Bay-related leak finally hit Wednesday afternoon, with NFL insider Jordan Schultz reporting that the Bucs will host the Washington Commanders to kick off the 2024 season.

Sources: #Commanders No. 2 overall QB Jayden Daniels will make his NFL debut on the road vs the #Bucs. pic.twitter.com/qkbxQZDLvu

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 15, 2024

Bucs WR Mike Evans Photo by: USA Today

This will be the Bucs’ first Week 1 home game since 2021, when they kicked off the season on Thursday Night Football against the Cowboys as defending Super Bowl champions. It’s just their second season opener at home since 2019, as they opened at the Saints in 2020, at the Cowboys in 2022 and at the Vikings last season.

Tampa Bay’s opponents have been set since the end of the 2023 season, so it’s only the order and kickoff times of the games that remain unknown for the 18-week slate. Washington is on the schedule as a result of the Bucs drawing the NFC East this season, and the team will also host the Eagles while squaring off with the Cowboys and Giants on the road.

Week 1 will mark the first meeting between Tampa Bay and Washington since 2021, when Taylor Heinicke and the Washington Football Team beat Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at FedEx Field. Technically, this will be the first time the two teams have met since Washington became the Commanders.

The Bucs are 3-0 in their last three season openers, including a 2-0 mark under head coach Todd Bowles.

Bucs Set To Host 2024 Draft’s No. 2 Overall Pick In His NFL Debut

This matchup will have some added intrigue due to the fact that it will mark the NFL debut for No. 2 overall pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. Washington selected the former LSU quarterback just a couple of weeks ago and hopes that the dual-threat playmaker will become the franchise quarterback they’ve long been searching for.

The Commanders had a solid draft overall, adding Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton, Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil, Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott and Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Photo by: USA Today

For the Bucs, catching the Commanders right off the bat could potentially be beneficial in that these players will be getting their first taste of NFL action and likely won’t have settled in to the league just yet.

Then again, there’s also the added challenge of limited film on these players, particularly Daniels. Todd Bowles and the Bucs haven’t always had the easiest time with rookie quarterbacks, so this will be another challenge and another chance for them to get things right.

This Week 1 matchup will also mark the NFL debuts for the Bucs’ 2024 rookie class, which was highlighted by Duke center Graham Barton, Alabama outside linebacker Chris Braswell, Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith and Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan.

The kickoff time for this game was not leaked at the time of publication, but a 1:00 p.m. kick would seem most likely. Stay tuned to PewterReport.com and the PewterReportTV YouTube channel Wednesday night as the full 2024 schedule is unveiled.