Daniels Named Commanders' Week 1 Starter After Impressive Preseason
In a move that had fans buzzing with anticipation, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn officially announced Jayden Daniels as the team's Week 1 starting quarterback. The announcement came on Monday, solidifying the decision after a strong showing in the preseason.
Daniels demonstrated his readiness and command during the preseason, completing 10 of 12 passes for 78 yards against the Miami Dolphins. Not just a threat through the air, Daniels also added 13 yards on the ground in the same game. His efforts led Washington into scoring positions on both of his drives, each resulting in field goal attempts. He showcased his versatility and scoring ability with a 3-yard keeper touchdown in the opening week of preseason against the New York Jets.
Quinn expressed his confidence in the young quarterback, stating, "I'd say he's definitely surpassed even my expectations of readiness, command."
This decision follows a stellar season at LSU where Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and ran for an additional 1,134 yards. His performance included 50 total touchdowns and a completion rate of over 72%, with just four interceptions. Jefferson's contributions did not go unnoticed, leading to his selection as the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft and earning him the prestigious 2024 Heisman Trophy.
Daniels initially shared first-team reps with Marcus Mariota during training camp. However, by the second week, Daniels began to receive the majority of first-team reps and has taken almost every first-team rep since then. Reflecting on his journey, Daniels emphasized the importance of ongoing competition. "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 said.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson praised Daniels' precision and awareness on the field. "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.
The Commanders have faced uncertainty at the quarterback position for the past seven seasons, with a different Week 1 starter each year. In 2023, Sam Howell took the initial snaps, and before him, names like Kirk Cousins in 2017 contributed to the rotation. This season, with Daniels at the helm, there's a sense of stability and hope that has been missing for years.
As the Commanders look to their opening game against Tampa Bay on September 8, the anticipation and expectations for Daniels will be high. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, eager to see if Daniels can translate his preseason promise into regular-season success.