The Washington Commanders can breathe a little easier heading into their Wild Card playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rookie quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels, who has dazzled all season and emerged as the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, has been cleared to start Sunday night’s game despite dealing with what head coach Dan Quinn termed “mild leg soreness.”
Daniels, who passed for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for another 891 yards and 6 scores, was pulled at halftime of the Commanders’ narrow Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys with the leg issue. The move raised eyebrows and concerns that the dynamic young star could be hampered for his first career playoff game. But Coach Quinn was quick to allay those fears.
I’m not concerned. Jayden’s soreness is mild and won’t impact how we gameplan or how he plays. Had this been a playoff game, they would have had to drag him off the field.
Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders Head Coach
A Historic Rookie Campaign
Daniels, the 5th overall pick out of Texas A&M, has been a revelation for a Commanders franchise that has long been searching for stability and stardom at the quarterback position. His electrifying dual-threat ability and poise under pressure helped lead Washington to a 12-5 record and their first playoff berth since 2020.
Now, the 21-year-old signal-caller will try to make more history by knocking off the Buccaneers and legendary QB Tom Brady in his postseason debut. With a clean bill of health and the full confidence of his head coach, Daniels has a chance to announce his arrival as a superstar on the biggest stage.
The Road Ahead
Of course, even a healthy Daniels will have his work cut out for him against a battle-tested Bucs squad looking to make one last Super Bowl run in the twilight of Brady’s incomparable career. Tampa Bay boasts a ferocious pass rush that will look to make the rookie uncomfortable early and often.
But if Daniels can utilize his mobility to evade pressure and make plays downfield to star wide receiver Terry McLaurin, the Commanders are more than capable of pulling the upset. In a season where rookie quarterbacks have stolen the spotlight across the league, Jayden Daniels has a chance to outshine them all under the bright lights of the NFL playoffs.
The football world will be watching intently Sunday night to see if the sensational rookie is up to the challenge. With a clean bill of health and a world of talent, betting against Jayden Daniels could prove to be a foolish proposition. A superstar may well be born in this Wild Card showdown.
