Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been the major topic of discussion surrounding the Washington Commanders ahead of the upcoming season. Despite a loss on Saturday, Aug. 10, the former Louisiana State University quarterback, 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, and 2024 NFL No. 2 overall draft pick impressed the franchise and fans in the preseason debut against the New York Jets.
Daniels came to the game wearing the jersey of Washington legend Doug Williams. Doug was the first African American quarterback to play in the Super Bowl. Williams completed 18-of-29 passes for 340 yards along with four touchdown passes, earning Super Bowl XXII MVP honors.
“Before I left it was just in my closet. Like, hey, what better way to have a debut first game, and represent Doug and what he did for the organization,” said Daniels.
Although Daniels played limited snaps, along with the team not having three prominent offensive tackles — Cornelius Lucas (personal reasons), Andrew Wylie (tightness in undisclosed area) and Brandon Coleman (shoulder injury) — on the field, he still managed to have an eventful series.
Daniels completed two of three passes for 45 yards, and even a three-yard swing pass to Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
“[To] go out there and play football, play at the high level, it was fun,” said Daniels.
Daniels started his series off planning to make a deliberate pass to running back Austin Ekeler, but the rookie quarterback zoomed by the running back moving the Commanders forward 3-and-6.
On the next play, Daniels made a check, organizing a pass execution to wide receiver Dyami Brown on the right sideline going deep downfield. This play was not only a standout, but got the team excited moving onward up the field.
“Being able to connect Dyami down the line of scrimmage down the field, I know that gave him confidence,” Daniels explained after the game. “He made a tough catch later on, on a curveball from (quarterback) Jeff [Driskell]. But just seeing the little steps in order to be successful and execute at level.”
Daniels also expressed to reporters that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury told him that if he didn’t like the look of play, just check another one.
Head coach Dan Quinn expressed his excitement on the play between Daniels and Brown. He said Daniels showed no fear in making checks leading to outstanding plays.
“I think it probably illustrates for him the awareness in the checks and the things that go into it,” Quinn said of Daniels. “It was a really cool play.”
Daniels executed the Commanders’ longest yard reception of the day at 42 yards, making it the top highlight out of all 11 plays in his series, adding to the success of an impressive NFL debut.
Despite the series consisting of eight runs, Daniels directed the offense in the backfield and moved swiftly throughout each play. His ability to read the field and make quick decisions showed the rookie’s growth in leadership.
But that’s not all. Daniels showed another key aspect of his game which is athleticism in a three-yard line play on third-down. On that play, Daniels took a read option going right, with no option to pass. He headed straight for the end zone, scoring his first NFL touchdown.
Afterward, Daniels ran straight to his mom to give her the game ball.
“Obviously, she was very excited, and I was happy just to be able to get my first touchdown and just throw it to her,” Daniels explained. “So I know she’s happy. I got to fight her to get the ball back now. But yeah, I know she’s excited.”
During Thursday’s practice before the preseason opener, Daniels met Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, earning some key advice ahead of the regular season. He said Rodgers told him, “Don’t ride the wave, just stay the course, and everything will work out.”
Even though the Jets came out on top 20-17 against the Commanders, Daniels left the franchise and fans smiling, giving high hopes for the future.
“We’re setting him up to play remarkably for a long time, not just to see if we can get him more playing time in preseason games,” Quinn told reporters after Saturday’s game.
Great read!