ASHBURN, Va. — Jayden Daniels has guided the Washington Commanders to the NFC championship game, earning him increasing recognition throughout the league.
This week, Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, praised Daniels, remarking that he is “a young quarterback by birth certificate, not by the tape.” C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans also expressed his admiration, claiming that Daniels has had “the best rookie year of all time.” If Daniels leads the Commanders to victory against the Eagles on Sunday, he would make history as the first rookie quarterback to take a team to the Super Bowl. Despite the mounting excitement, Daniels remains dedicated and grounded, just as he was when he was selected as the second overall pick in the draft.
“He stays as even-keeled as any player I’ve ever been around,” said standout receiver Terry McLaurin on Wednesday. “We’ve competed in some of the toughest environments and on the biggest stages, and he approaches each game with the same mindset. I admire that quality in him.”
Daniels is strongly supporting Stroud’s endorsement with a remarkable performance on the field. The 24-year-old from LSU is the first player in franchise history to throw for 25 touchdown passes while recording fewer than 10 interceptions. Additionally, his 891 rushing yards are the most ever by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.
After collecting the Heisman Trophy in college and becoming a frontrunner for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Daniels expressed that he is “not even thinking that far” about the prospect of reaching the Super Bowl and the potential opponents like the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs he could face on February 9 in New Orleans.
“It would be a tremendous honor, but my focus is on improving every day,” Daniels remarked. “Many teams would love to be in this position, so it’s essential not to take it for granted, but to remain present in the moment.”
Coach Dan Quinn has likened Daniels to “The Terminator” when observing him on the sidelines, noting his composed demeanor and ability to avoid distractions.
On the field, Daniels has led the Commanders to six straight wins, securing the first five victories on the final play of scrimmage and defeating the 15-win Lions 45-31 in Detroit. During this impressive run, he has thrown 17 touchdown passes. Although Washington goes into the game as underdogs against Philadelphia, Daniels’ exceptional skills provide plenty of reason to believe in an upset.
“He possesses unique skills that have kept us in this position,” Quinn stated. “When chaos ensues at critical moments, he exhibits the composure of someone who has played far more than just one year.”
Daniels is uncertain when his teammates stopped treating him like a rookie. It was during Week 8 after his Hail Mary pass to Noah Brown that veteran tight end Zach Ertz urged others in the organization to recognize Daniels for his skills rather than his experience.
“He has always been proactive in his quest for excellence,” Ertz noted, drawing from his own experience of winning the Super Bowl with the Eagles seven years ago. “Typically, younger players go through a trial-and-error phase to find what works for them. However, from the moment he arrived, he was the first one in the building, dedicating himself to studying as much as possible.”
Daniels still enjoys warming up with a basketball, showcasing his love for the sport, and has built a reputation as a dedicated player during offseason practices. He consistently arrives early for walkthroughs and stays late to ensure he masters the playbook.
Quinn appreciates Daniels’ competitive nature but values even more the effort he invests to prepare. “Doing that extra work often gives you an edge and the confidence to perform when it matters,” Quinn said. “When the situation arises, you’ll be ready to shine.”
Daniels has propelled Washington to its greatest improvement in wins, increasing from a record of 4-13 to 12-5. He has been the nucleus of an offense that recorded 10 games with zero turnovers, representing the highest number for the franchise since at least 1940, according to statistics.
Throughout his journey, Daniels has demonstrated resilience under pressure, attributing his ability to the joy he finds in the game. “I don’t stress about the situation because, at the end of the day, I’m out there doing what I love each week, regardless of the outcome,” Daniels shared. “It’s a blessing to be one of the fortunate souls living out my dream of playing NFL football on Sundays.”