The Washington Commanders were desperate for a savior at quarterback when they selected LSU’s Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After cycling through an NFL-high 10 starting QBs over the previous five seasons, Washington needed more than just a capable passer – they needed a franchise-altering talent.
Remarkably, that’s exactly what they found in the 21-year-old Daniels. The California native has exceeded even the wildest expectations, transforming a 4-13 Commanders squad in 2023 into a 14-5 juggernaut on the brink of the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in over three decades. His stellar regular season statistics only tell part of the story:
- 4th in QBR – trailing only MVP candidates Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow
- 567 pass yards, 4 TDs, 87 rush yards in postseason – fueling road upsets of the Bucs and Lions
- 6 game-winning drives in clutch moments – most by a rookie QB in NFL history
Early Believers in Daniels’ Rare Talent
But to those within the Commanders organization, Daniels’ on-field heroics come as no surprise. From his very first practices, the rookie signal-caller made a profound impression on coaches and teammates alike with his humility, tireless work ethic, and advanced football IQ.
I was telling everyone that would listen how good he would be. Just something got me really excited. I knew there would be some growing pains, but his ability to work and his humility to get better is what sets him apart.
Zach Ertz, Commanders TE
Ertz, a 10-year NFL veteran, went so far as to compare Daniels to his former Stanford teammate Andrew Luck – one of the most celebrated QB prospects of all time. Like Luck, Ertz observed that Daniels possessed an uncommon “gravitational pull” that drew teammates to him, while maintaining a selfless, team-first mindset.
Preparation Fit For a Pro From Day One
That team-first approach manifested in Daniels’ meticulous preparation, which stood out immediately to Commanders coaches. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and QBs coach Tavita Pritchard detailed how the rookie would join them for intensive 6 AM walkthroughs on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to visualize and rehearse that week’s 60-70 play game plan.
I mean, 6 a.m. is early for a younger cat. [Daniels] wants to be there. That’s the thing I appreciate. I’ve never once felt that energy [from him] like, ‘Oh, here we go again.’ It’s like, ‘Let’s go!’ And that to me is the most impressive thing I’ve seen so far is just the want to be great and the competitive stamina to be … always open to learning.
Kliff Kingsbury, Commanders OC
Daniels would follow up the early morning sessions with more solo film study, VR mental reps, and constant communication with his coaches and receivers to gain every possible edge. His thirst for feedback and self-improvement quickly earned the respect of Washington’s veteran leaders.
Cool, Calm and Clutch When It Matters Most
That unshakeable poise has been on full display in the playoffs, as Daniels outdueled Tom Brady and Jared Goff on the road to put Washington on the doorstep of an improbable Super Bowl berth. Through two postseason contests, his 86.8 QBR and 654 total yards both pace all quarterbacks.
While some rookies might be overwhelmed by the bright lights and high stakes, Daniels’ teammates say his even-keeled presence is tailor-made for tense moments. Coaches credit his unflappable nature to the same hyper-preparedness and attention to detail he’s shown since minicamp.
He has a very unique calmness about it. A silent assassin.
Brian Johnson, Commanders Passing Game Coordinator
That assassin’s mentality will be put to the test once more this Sunday against the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles with a trip to Super Bowl LIX on the line. But if Daniels can replicate his late-game magic one more time, he’ll make history as the first rookie QB to start on the NFL’s biggest stage.
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is abundantly clear: in Jayden Daniels, Washington has found the elite franchise quarterback they’ve long been searching for. With his preternatural poise, commanding leadership, and a veteran’s work ethic packed into a 21-year-old frame, the sky’s the limit for the Commanders’ new leading man.
