The Washington Commanders have named Jayden Daniels as their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the upcoming NFL season, marking the seventh consecutive year the team will start the season with a different quarterback. Head Coach Dan Quinn made the announcement on Monday, solidifying faith in the young signal-caller who has shown tremendous promise throughout the preseason and training camp.
Daniels has made a significant impression during the preseason. In the recent game against the Miami Dolphins, he demonstrated efficiency by completing 10 of 12 passes for a total of 78 yards. Additionally, he showcased versatility by adding 13 rushing yards. His efforts led Washington into scoring positions during both of his two drives, though they resulted in field goal attempts. His ability to find the end zone was on full display when he scored a touchdown on a 3-yard keeper in the opening week of the preseason against the New York Jets.
From his collegiate career at LSU, Daniels brings an impressive resume. Last season, he threw for 3,812 yards, ran for an additional 1,134 yards, and accounted for 50 total touchdowns, a performance that earned him the 2024 Heisman Trophy. His efficiency as a passer was evident with a completion rate of over 72% and only four interceptions for the season. Such prolific statistics paved the way for him to become the No. 2 overall pick in the most recent NFL Draft.
This level of performance has not gone unnoticed by Dan Quinn, who has been effusive in his praise. "I'd say he's definitely surpassed even my expectations of readiness, command," Quinn remarked, underlining the exceptional development Daniels has exhibited since joining the team.
The Washington Commanders have not found stability at the quarterback position for quite some time, having started each of the past seven seasons with a different leader under center. Last season, it was Sam Howell who began the campaign as the starter, and back in 2017, it was Kirk Cousins. The hope is that Daniels can bring much-needed consistency and high-level play to the position.
During training camp, Daniels initially shared first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota. However, by the second week, he had begun receiving the majority of first-team reps, and he has taken nearly every first-team snap since then. This shift signifies the coaching staff's growing confidence in his abilities and readiness to lead the team from the outset.
Daniels himself remains focused and maintains a competitive edge, no matter his status. "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 of your job, comfortable. I think it is just your job to seal the deal. You got to go out there and compete," Daniels stated. His mindset reflects the high stakes and relentless pursuit of excellence that define professional football.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson, a key target for Daniels, added his perspective on the new quarterback's talent. "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 said, emphasizing the precision and skill Daniels brings to the field.
The Commanders are gearing up for their season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 8, with high hopes that Jayden Daniels will lead them to a promising start. His blend of passing accuracy, rushing ability, and poise under pressure will be put to the test as he steps onto the field as the latest in a line of starting quarterbacks for Washington. The franchise and its fans are eager to see if Daniels can break the cycle of uncertainty and establish himself as a cornerstone of the team's future.