Jayden Daniels, a rookie quarterback for the Washington Commanders, made quite an impression in his NFL debut with 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in a game against Tampa Bay. However, the coaching staff aims to see Daniels prioritize passing over running moving forward. Coach Dan Quinn emphasized the importance of Daniels evolving into a balanced quarterback with more experience and reducing the number of carries.
Despite Daniels’ impressive running abilities, there is a concern about the risk of injuries associated with running the ball frequently, as highlighted by retired quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Comparisons were drawn to incidents like Anthony Richardson’s injury last season, underscoring the need for Daniels to manage his running game wisely to avoid potential harm.
Quinn acknowledged the challenges dual-threat quarterbacks pose for defenses and expressed confidence in Daniels’ growth and decision-making on the field. Fellow rookie Luke McCaffrey, now playing as a wide receiver, trusts Daniels to navigate between passing and running effectively to benefit the team’s offense.
The Commanders are gearing up to face the New York Giants in a matchup of 0-1 NFC East rivals, with players like cornerback Emmanuel Forbes nursing minor injuries but expected to play. Despite potential obstacles, the team remains optimistic about Daniels’ potential as a player and his ability to adapt his running style to minimize risks, echoing sentiments from NFL veterans about the importance of balancing running prowess with avoiding injuries.