WASHINGTON — Jayden Daniels will be the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders in week one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head Coach Dan Quinn made the announcement Monday following the team's second preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins.
What has impressed the coaching staff, his teammates and us -- quite frankly -- is his approach to the game and the way he interacts with everyone. If you were to share some time with him, you won't get the sense that he’s the starting QB of an NFL team, but just a young man who loves the game.
Despite two preseason losses, the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner has been impressive in training camp. Quinn has previously said the young quarterback has exceeded expectations.
"I had high expectations of him going in, but I would say he has surpassed even my expectations," Quinn said of Daniels' work in training camp. Quinn said Daniels has put the work in, “He’s earned the respect of teammates, coaches, and people inside the building.”
To say top ten picks tend to be named starters quickly is an understatement. Quinn waited until Week 3 of the preseason to name his starter because, as he told us from day one of training camp, they are bringing Daniels along in practice and the preseason, to build him up for a very long successful career.
In the first preseason game, we only saw Daniels for the opening series. But in that one series, we saw all we needed; a rookie QB who recognized a blitz coming from the New York Jets and audibled to a play that resulted in a 42 yard perfect pass to wide receiver Dyami Brown. As he ran down the field, Daniels looked over at the sideline to Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and smiled as if he was a young kid who knew he wasn’t supposed to do something, but he also knew if he did, the outcome would be positive. He played one series and done — a very good night.
During Saturday's game against the Dolphins, Daniels looked solid, playing two series and going 10 of 12 for 78 yards and rushing for 13 yards. He led drives of 46 and 52 yards. The first ended on a missed field goal from 49 yards by Riley Patterson, who connected from 46 yards on the second.
Quinn said he would love to see his rookie get down on the ground before being hit, while Daniels told us it’s an inner struggle to make that decision of when to go, and when to get down. For now, they both smiled about it.
>Watch Monday's full news conference below:
Players we have spoken with are excited to support Daniels in his regular season debut.
"He's ready to seize the moment," said new wide receiver Martavis Bryant of Daniels. "I'm here to support him. Whatever he needs help with I'm going to do it."
Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will be Daniels' backup on the depth chart. The longtime NFL player told WUSA9 he is embracing his role as a sounding board for Daniels.
"I feel like I've been through the gamut of everything," Mariota said. "I've been a starter, I've been a backup, I've been hurt, I've been benched. I think for me, I try to just bring all those experiences into the room. I really believe that the quarterback position is one of the hardest in sports. When you have a solid foundation in the quarterback room, it really doesn't matter who's pulling the trigger, I think it's going to be beneficial for everybody."
The bottom line of what I’ve seen from Daniels is a man who is first in the building since he initially arrived as a Commander. All of the work he’s put in off the field has prepared him for this starting role.
Veterans have said Daniels is so far ahead when it comes to a rookie’s knowledge of the game already. He is playing for a franchise and fanbase that is starved for success and stability. He will be a different opening-game starting quarterback in Washington for the eighth straight season in Week 1. That streak should end next season and for years to come.
The Commanders have one more preseason game against the New England Patriots on Aug. 25 before the regular season kicks off on Sept. 8 in Tampa Bay.
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