ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders lastly made official what has been anticipated because the NFL draft: Jayden Daniels is their beginning quarterback.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn introduced the transfer Monday, although Daniels, the second general choose in April, had been working with the primary workforce completely in coaching camp for the previous three weeks. It wasn’t precisely a secret that Daniels would begin, however by ready and seeing, the Commanders allowed him to show he was worthy of the job.
“We knew we might get right here,” Quinn stated, “however we have been simply excited to see how we might. Seeing him hit all of the spots, it is a uncommon competitor. He is simply had a outstanding begin to issues.”
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Quinn stated he advised Daniels the information throughout a gathering within the quarterbacks room Monday afternoon. Quinn reiterated his perception in having competitors for a place then stated he advised Daniels, “You completely crushed it and earned it.”
Although the information was extra of a formality, Daniels stated he did not take something with no consideration and stated it crammed him with “pleasure and happiness.” He additionally understood why they needed to take their time with the choice.
“They did not wish to go on the market and [immediately say] hey, you are a starter,” Daniels stated. “I have never earned something. What I did in school was nice. Now it is time for a brand new slate, clear slate. I’ve to show it not solely to myself, not solely to the coaches, however to my teammates. If DQ goes to evangelise competitors and you have to earn all the things, man, they cannot are available in and simply give me the job instantly. So, I obtained to need to go earn it.”
Washington can have a brand new beginning quarterback for the seventh consecutive 12 months to open the season.
Early in coaching camp, Marcus Mariota was often the primary to go in at quarterback, although Daniels would take snaps with the starters in each full-team work and 7-on-7 drills.
Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, additionally began each of the primary two preseason video games; Mariota was unavailable to play Saturday in Miami due to a hamstring situation however that did not influence Daniels’ standing.
In two preseason video games, Daniels accomplished 12-of-15 passes for 123 yards. He didn’t throw a landing move however did rating on a three-yard run towards the New York Jets on a zone learn.
In opposition to New York, he accomplished a 42-yard move to receiver Dyami Brown after trying out of a display move primarily based on the protection. Saturday, Daniels accomplished 10-of-12 passes for 78 yards, that includes a fast launch that averted strain on a number of rushes and prevented him from being hit within the pocket. Daniels’ common time earlier than throwing towards the Dolphins was 2.02 seconds, in accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats.
However Quinn additionally pointed to Daniels’ regular development. Quinn stated he noticed it come collectively final week, sooner or later earlier than they left for Miami.
“The command of it, the accuracy, the main points of it, that was among the finest practices I might seen him have,” Quinn stated. “That was extra in keeping with who he’s, what he does, the checks, the calls, the communication, the supply of the ball. He was simply actually on level. It was simply cool to see all of that come to life.”
Since his arrival, Daniels has been praised by teammates and coaches for his ball placement and accuracy — each have proven up in video games as effectively; his work ethic; his poise within the pocket and a character that attracts in teammates. Quinn has stated Daniels has a mixture of “humility and swagger.”
Washington fell in love with Daniels early within the draft course of however stored its intentions to draft him quiet, although he was the participant quite a few coaches and executives exterior of Washington stated must be the choose. The Commanders needed to ensure to not overlook others — simply in case the Chicago Bears did the surprising and bypassed Caleb Williams for Daniels.
The qualities that stood out to Washington earlier than the draft are the identical ones it has praised since he joined the workforce, however the workforce needed to ensure Daniels was prepared.
In addition they needed to see how he dealt with every step. He impressed Quinn by how he corrected his errors, typically figuring out what went incorrect earlier than the coaches needed to inform him.
“That is often the one that has essentially the most self-awareness,” Quinn stated. “They enhance essentially the most, they develop the quickest as a result of they’re capable of repair among the issues that go incorrect, generally you bought to determine it out. And so [they] cannot depend on the coach each single second to say finish this, finish this, finish this. Jayden has that on the highest stage.”
That is what Washington anticipated when common supervisor Adam Peters made the choice to draft Daniels.
“It is only a blessing that DQ and AP belief me to go on the market and lead the workforce, lead the franchise to hopefully win some video games,” Daniels stated. “It is one thing I’ve dreamed about as a child to expertise this second.”
