In an anticipated announcement, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has named Jayden Daniels as the team's starting quarterback for Week 1 of the upcoming NFL season. This decision comes after a series of impressive performances by Daniels throughout the preseason and training camp. The official announcement was made on Monday, solidifying Daniels' position as the commander of Washington's offense.
Daniels, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 overall pick, has been turning heads since his final season at LSU, where he threw for 3,812 yards and ran for an additional 1,134 yards. His remarkable season included 50 total touchdowns and a completion rate surpassing 72%, with just four interceptions—a performance that evidently convinced Washington of his readiness for the professional stage.
His preseason performance has only added to the conviction. In a game against the Miami Dolphins, Daniels completed 10 of 12 passes for 78 yards and added another 13 yards on the ground. Noteworthy is the fact that he led Washington into scoring position on both of his two drives, which resulted in field goal attempts. His prowess was also on display in the opening week of the preseason against the New York Jets, where he scored a touchdown on a 3-yard keeper.
Quinn expressed his satisfaction with Daniels' development and readiness, saying, "I'd say he's definitely surpassed even my expectations of readiness, command."
From initial split reps with veteran Marcus Mariota at the beginning of training camp to receiving the majority of first-team reps by the second week, Daniels' transition to the starting role has seemed almost seamless. "No, I like competing. I'm a competitor, so regardless if I was announced the starter or not, you still got to compete. You still can't be content with your job, comfortable. I think it is just your job to seal the deal. You got to go out there and compete," Daniels asserted, demonstrating his competitive spirit and determination to excel.
The Commanders have experienced a carousel of starting quarterbacks in recent years, with a different Week 1 starter for each of the past seven seasons. This inconsistency is something the team hopes to put behind them with Daniels at the helm. Last year, Sam Howell held the starting position, and before him, notable names like Kirk Cousins in 2017 have struggled to bring stability to the position.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson, for one, is optimistic about the capabilities Daniels brings to the team. "He's putting the ball in places where it makes our job so much easier because he is putting it where only you can get it and the defender has no play on it. You truly got to cherish stuff like that and be thankful for it because not everyone can do that," Dotson remarked, highlighting Daniels' precision and impact.
The focus now shifts to September 8 when the Commanders will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a fresh start for Washington, a chance to see if Jayden Daniels can solidify his place and bring stability and success to a team long searching for it.