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 total decide in April, had been working with the primary group 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’d get right here,” Quinn stated, “however we had been simply excited to see how we’d. Seeing him hit all of the spots, this can be a uncommon competitor. He is simply had a outstanding begin to issues.”
Quinn stated he instructed 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 instructed 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 need to go on the market and [immediately say] hey, you are a starter,” Daniels stated. “I have not 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 every little thing, man, they cannot are available and simply give me the job straight away. So, I bought to should 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 normally 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 concern 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 go however did rating on a three-yard run in opposition to the New York Jets on a zone learn.
Towards New York, he accomplished a 42-yard go to receiver Dyami Brown after trying out of a display go primarily based on the protection. Saturday, Daniels accomplished 10-of-12 passes for 78 yards, that includes a fast launch that prevented stress on a number of rushes and prevented him from being hit within the pocket. Daniels’ common time earlier than throwing in opposition to the Dolphins was 2.02 seconds, in line with Subsequent Gen Stats.
However Quinn additionally pointed to Daniels’ regular development. Quinn stated he noticed it come collectively final week, at some point earlier than they left for Miami.
“The command of it, the accuracy, the small print of it, that was among the finest practices I might seen him have,” Quinn stated. “That was extra consistent 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 properly; his work ethic; his poise within the pocket and a persona 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 saved its intentions to draft him quiet, although he was the participant quite a few coaches and executives exterior of Washington stated needs to be the decide. The Commanders needed to ensure to not overlook others — simply in case the Chicago Bears did the sudden 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 group, however the group 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 realizing what went flawed earlier than the coaches needed to inform him.
“That is normally the one that has probably the most self-awareness,” Quinn stated. “They enhance probably the most, they develop the quickest as a result of they’re in a position to repair among the issues that go flawed, 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 degree.”
That is what Washington anticipated when basic 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 group, 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.”
