ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders have found their new leader in rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who showcased his impressive skills on Monday night with 293 total yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 38-33 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The selection of Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft was a culmination of months of evaluation and deliberation by the Commanders’ front office, led by general manager Adam Peters. Despite considering other top prospects, including Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and North Carolina QB Drake Maye, the team ultimately fell in love with Daniels’ unique combination of experience, polish, and game-changing ability.
Peters, who joined the Commanders in January, was instrumental in the team’s decision-making process. He brought a wealth of knowledge from his previous stint as assistant general manager for the San Francisco 49ers, and his enthusiasm for Daniels was evident from the start. According to sources, Peters was blown away by Daniels’ film, particularly his performance in LSU’s season-opening loss to Florida State, where he threw for 346 yards and ran for 64 more.
The Commanders’ war room erupted in cheers and high-fives when Peters announced the selection of Daniels, a testament to the organization’s confidence in their new quarterback. As one person in the room described, “It was like a room of joy… It put everybody at ease.”
Daniels’ impressive resume, which includes 55 games played over five seasons and 26 more starts than McCarthy and 29 more than Maye, was a major selling point for the Commanders. His experience playing in the SEC, where he faced sophisticated defenses, and his ability to process information quickly, were also key factors in the team’s decision.
New head coach Dan Quinn, who has a defensive background, was equally impressed by Daniels’ skillset. “He has a real decision-making process that’s fast,” Quinn said. “He’s already had to go through a new system and new people and new experiences… That’s a big deal, man, because they’ve seen the stuff, they’ve made the mistake.”
As the Commanders look to turn the page on decades of futility, they believe Daniels has the potential to be a game-changer. With his strong work ethic, demonstrated by his use of virtual reality to improve his game, and his infectious enthusiasm, Daniels is poised to lead the franchise back to prominence.
While the Commanders are eager to see Daniels take the field, they’re also aware that he’ll need time to develop. For now, they’re content to let him learn and grow, surrounded by a strong defense and run game, and veteran offensive players like tight end Zach Ertz and running back Austin Ekeler.
As Peters said, “We couldn’t be happier” with their selection of Daniels. The future looks bright for the Washington Commanders, and their new quarterback is ready to take the reins.
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