ASHBURN, Va. — Jayden Daniels, the rookie quarterback for the Washington Commanders, has been showcasing his skills since he started his NFL career. His first college coach, Herm Edwards, expressed confidence that Daniels could tackle any challenges ahead of him and anticipated his growth as a player.
Edwards stated in October that it’s essential for quarterbacks to win from the pocket, emphasizing that running plays can be exciting but are not the primary focus. “He understands that you’re going to win games from the pocket,” he noted, highlighting Daniels’ ability to adapt and thrive in traditional passing scenarios.
In the past two games, Daniels has demonstrated remarkable improvement, completing nearly 82% of his passes, a significant jump from the 61% completion rate he achieved in the previous five games after recovering from a rib injury. His performance has contributed to the Commanders’ two-game winning streak, positioning the team at 9-5 and eyeing a playoffs spot with Daniels at the helm.
Reflecting on his recent successes, Daniels mentioned, “I would just say it’s just finding completions, getting the ball in my hands and letting the guys make plays.” Currently, he is preparing for a challenge against the Philadelphia Eagles, who lead the NFC East, after showcasing a 66-yard rushing game against New Orleans. Despite facing some pressure, highlighted by eight sacks, he impressively completed 25 of 31 passes for 226 yards and threw two touchdowns to his top receiver, Terry McLaurin.
The refinement of his passing technique has been a focal point for both Daniels and the coaching staff since he was selected as the second overall pick in the draft. Head Coach Dan Quinn pointed out, “One of the things that we’ve worked really hard on is him remaining a passer inside of the pocket.” He emphasized that allowing Daniels to stay in the pocket longer would help the receivers create separation downfield, which would, in turn, enhance the overall passing game.
Quinn also noted the solid foundation Daniels built during his college career, first at Arizona State and then at LSU, adding that he’s shown significant growth in decision-making with the ball. This improvement has been evident, as Daniels has thrown five touchdowns with just one interception over the past two games, an impressive turnaround from the three interceptions he threw during a three-game losing streak in November.
Daniels is currently a strong contender for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award and leads the Pro Bowl voting among quarterbacks in his conference. On his 24th birthday, his teammate Mike Sainristil surprised him with a birthday cake. Despite the attention, Daniels remains focused on the present, reflecting on the lessons he learned from his parents about living in the moment. “That’s what my parents always told me growing up is just be where your feet are,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Daniels faces the Eagles, who boast the top defense in the league, particularly against the pass. This match-up presents another level of challenge since they previously defeated the Commanders 26-18 in their initial meeting of the season. Daniels believes his passing abilities have only improved as he continues to develop with each game, stating, “I mean, you’re either getting better or you’re getting worse, and I don’t want to get worse.”
With a commitment to continuous improvement, he aims to seize every opportunity to refine his game going forward.