The Washington Commanders have officially named Jayden Daniels as their Week 1 starting quarterback. This highly anticipated announcement came on Monday from head coach Dan Quinn, who has seen remarkable progress from the young quarterback throughout the preseason and training camp.
Daniels showcased his skills impressively during the preseason, completing 10 of 12 passes for 78 yards in the game against the Miami Dolphins. Additionally, he added 13 yards on the ground and successfully led the team into scoring positions on both of his two drives, each resulting in field goal attempts. His knack for finding the end zone was also evident in the opening week of the preseason against the New York Jets, where he scored a touchdown on a 3-yard keeper.
The 23-year-old quarterback’s standout performances aren’t confined to the preseason. Last season at LSU, Daniels threw for an astonishing 3,812 yards and ran for an additional 1,134 yards, totaling 50 touchdowns. His accurate arm was showcased with a completion rate of over 72%, and he threw just four interceptions over the entire season. It’s no wonder then that Daniels was not only the No. 2 overall pick but also the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.
Daniels' rapid ascent within the Commanders’ ranks has been nothing short of impressive. Initially, he split first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota during training camp. By the second week of camp, however, Daniels began receiving the majority of first-team reps, and he has taken almost every first-team rep since.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn expressed his satisfaction with Daniels' progress, saying, "I'd say he's definitely surpassed even my expectations of readiness, command." This level of confidence from a seasoned coach like Quinn speaks volumes about Daniels' potential and readiness to lead the team.
For Daniels, the journey to being named the starter has been shaped by a fierce competitive spirit. "No, I like competing. I'm a competitor, so regardless if I was announced the starter or not, you still got to compete. You still can't be content with your job, comfortable. I think it is just your job to seal the deal. You got to go out there and compete," Daniels said.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson, one of the key receivers for the Commanders, also praised Daniels' precision. "He's putting the ball in places where it makes our job so much easier, because he is putting it where only you can get it and the defender has no play on it. You truly got to cherish stuff like that and be thankful for it, because not everyone can do that," Dotson remarked.
The Commanders are set to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 8, marking the start of what they hope will be a successful season with Daniels at the helm. Interestingly, Daniels becomes the eighth different Week 1 starting quarterback for the Commanders in as many years, a tenure that includes names like Sam Howell in 2023 and Kirk Cousins in 2017.
As the season opener approaches, all eyes will be on Jayden Daniels to see if he can not only meet but exceed the high expectations set for him. With his enviable record at LSU and his promising preseason performances, the Washington Commanders and their fans have much to look forward to with Daniels leading the offense.