ASHBURN, Va. — Again within the spring, nicely earlier than Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels had been named the starter, veteran teammates reminiscent of tight finish Zach Ertz and huge receiver Terry McLaurin had a sense the rookie would excel within the NFL.
By the tip of coaching camp, they had been sure.
“I used to be telling everybody that will pay attention how good he can be,” Ertz stated. “Simply one thing bought me actually excited. I knew there can be some rising pains, however his capability to work and his humility to get higher is what units him aside.”
Now, the remainder of the NFL is catching up.
Daniels has been a transformational participant for the Commanders, serving to the franchise rebound from a 4-13 marketing campaign in 2023 to a 14-5 file (together with the playoffs) and taking part in in its first NFC Championship Sport because the 1991 season. And if they will beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, Fox), he’ll turn out to be the primary rookie QB to start out in a Tremendous Bowl.
Throughout the common season, Daniels ranked fourth in QBR, behind MVP front-runners Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. Over his two postseason video games, he has the best Whole QBR (86.8), throwing for 567 yards passing and 4 touchdowns and amassing one other 87 yards speeding whereas fueling Washington to street upsets over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and top-seeded Detroit Lions within the wild-card and divisional rounds, respectively.
Teammates, coaches and members of the group say Daniels’ on-field success was sowed by what he has proven them behind the scenes since his arrival. They’ve noticed a diligent pupil who loves to organize, an inquisitive thoughts with consideration to element unusual for rookie QBs, an instinctual chief, a cool head who embraces — and excels in — massive moments and a competitor who’s additionally in a position to have enjoyable in any scenario.
Throughout a minicamp session in June, McLaurin — who had performed with 10 completely different beginning quarterbacks in Washington from 2019 to 2023 — was requested about Daniels. He beamed as he spoke in regards to the rookie’s preparation and need for further reps after apply.
A day later, as McLaurin warmed up on the sideline earlier than apply, a reporter instructed the six-year professional that he had by no means seemed or sounded so enthusiastic a couple of quarterback.
“He is the true deal,” McLaurin stated.
SHORTLY AFTER THE organized crew actions started in late Might, Ertz had seen sufficient of Daniels to make a daring comparability.
“I in contrast him to Andrew Luck, which is the last word praise,” Ertz stated.
Luck, the previous first general choose in 2012 who was tabbed as a generational quarterback prospect, performed with Ertz at Stanford.
“Andrew had a gravitational pull. Guys simply needed to be round him,” Ertz stated. “He simply needed to be one of many guys and Jayden may be very comparable. Guys simply wish to be round him as a result of he would not view himself as anybody apart from one of many guys.
“His strategy to the sport has actually been completely different in comparison with lots of people I have been round. A number of instances while you’re younger there’s a number of trial and error and oftentimes, you are reactionary by way of how your course of is: ‘After I fail a pair instances possibly I will do X, Y and Z extra.’ Whereas Jayden from the second he first bought right here he was the primary one within the constructing learning as a lot as attainable.”
Washington’s plan within the spring was to have Daniels earn the beginning job by his preparation, habits and play all through the offseason program. In consequence, Daniels labored with the second unit whereas veteran Marcus Mariota took snaps because the starter.
However for Ertz, it was clear early Daniels can be QB1 when the 2024 season began (the Commanders made it official on Aug. 19). Daniels’ eagerness to study stood out. The rookie was continually speaking to veterans throughout apply, from Ertz to McLaurin to 11-time All-Professional linebacker Bobby Wagner, peppering them with questions.
Anticipating Daniels’ eventual promotion, Ertz stated he started asking to run with the second-team offense in two-minute drills to get extra time — and a head begin — with Washington’s future quarterback.
“The bodily instruments stood out instantly,” Ertz stated, “the way in which the ball popped out of his palms. [But] it was the stuff that not everybody sees that caught out probably the most.”
Washington guard Sam Cosmi noticed it too. When he signed a four-year, $74 million extension days earlier than the season began, he cited Daniels as one of many causes he was thrilled to have his future tied to the franchise.
“We bought a particular, particular dude,” Cosmi stated in September. “That makes me excited to be right here.”
Daniels bought the teaching employees’s consideration early as nicely. Throughout a rookie minicamp session in early Might, passing sport coordinator Brian Johnson was left in awe as he watched Daniels function in apply.
“He got here out right here and it was like bang, bang, bang, bang,” Johnson stated. “Simply completion after completion and the ball did not hit the bottom. He had the set up utterly dialed and locked in. You turn out to be impressed, not solely by the outcomes [but] by the work and the motion. It isn’t what you say, it is what you do — and he goes on the market and does it each single day.”
Daniels has continued his spectacular shows to teammates all through the season. Throughout a late November apply, security Jeremy Reaves performed a protection in a manner that shocked Daniels. After apply, Daniels requested Reaves why he had achieved it that manner, and, “Do I have to do higher with my eyes right here? From an idea standpoint how can we make it [better]?”
“It is refreshing,” Reaves stated. “You do not see that quite a bit.”
Ertz agreed.
“I have been round excessive draft picks — they really feel they’ve all of the solutions,” Ertz stated. “Jayden was the exact opposite. He is asking me about sure performs, why I ran a sure route this time, how may the timing be a bit of higher. It was the humility that stood out to me.”
IN WEEK 5 towards the Cleveland Browns, McLaurin completed with 4 catches for 112 yards. However up 31-6 within the third quarter, he could not hold onto a cross within the nook of the tip zone. It was not formally dominated a drop, however McLaurin thought of it one and he had already fumbled that quarter.
It bothered him on the bench, and Daniels observed.
“I anticipate a number of myself,” McLaurin stated. “He came to visit to me and sat down and talked to me and was like, ‘To start with, we’re successful. You are taking part in nice. You are going to make that play 9 instances out of 10. We belief you and I belief you, so I’ll proceed to come back again to you and do not sweat the small mishaps.'”
Later within the season towards Atlanta, McLaurin was held to 1 catch for five yards. Once more, Daniels observed. And once more, after throwing a third-quarter landing cross to Ertz, Daniels ran over to McLaurin and stated, “Hey, have a look at me. Keep in it. You are going to make a play.”
McLaurin discovered alternatives to reciprocate. One week after beating the Browns, Washington misplaced at Baltimore 30-23. A visibly indignant Daniels sat on a cooler subsequent to the bench because the Ravens ran out the clock — it was a glance McLaurin had not beforehand seen from the QB.
“I’ve by no means seen a quarterback that upset after a sport,” McLaurin stated. “He wasn’t throwing his helmet, he wasn’t cussing anyone out, however you may see how mad and annoyed he was. That spoke to me. You can inform how a lot he cares. … I instructed him, ‘I like seeing that in you; do not ever lose that fireside of hating to lose a sport. That is what is going on to make you completely different.'”
Daniels additionally has the power to construct relationships, which has particularly been evident with Wagner — a Tremendous Bowl champ and future Corridor of Famer. The 2 developed a bond early on; Daniels talked typically with veterans however turned nearer with the previous chief of Seattle’s “Legion of Increase” protection.
The convenience with which Daniels developed a rapport with such a star veteran was unusual for a rookie, teammates and coaches stated. They sit collectively entrance and heart in crew conferences. Additionally they bicker like siblings, with Daniels unafraid to needle the 13-year professional who’s 10 years his senior.
In a information convention earlier this month, Daniels started a solution about Wagner by saying, “He is annoying” earlier than praising Wagner’s management.
When requested what was annoying about Wagner, Daniels deadpanned to reporters, “Every part.”
On New Yr’s Day, Wagner was requested about having Daniels and different rookies on their management committee. As he began to reply, Daniels walked previous and stated, “Shut up, Bobby.”
“See, I am making an attempt to present him a praise and on cue he simply messes it up,” Wagner stated.
Daniels walked previous once more, and Wagner yelled to him, “Pull your pants up.”
The reply: “Bobby Wagner’s annoying.”
“That is how we’re beginning the brand new yr off,” Wagner stated.
DANIELS ARRIVES AT the Commanders’ facility between 5 and 5:30 a.m. each Wednesday by Friday throughout the season to start engaged on the sport plan for the upcoming opponent.
Daniels spends round half-hour watching movie, generally alone within the quarterbacks assembly room and different instances on his iPad whereas soaking within the scorching tub. Then, round 6 a.m., Daniels, Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard head over to the apply bubble to stroll by the roughly 60 to 70 performs on the sport plan checklist for that week.
“I imply, 6 a.m. is early for a youthful cat,” Kingsbury stated, “[Daniels] desires to be there. That is the factor I recognize. I’ve by no means as soon as felt that power [from him] like, ‘Oh, right here we go once more.’ It is like, ‘Let’s go!’ And that to me is probably the most spectacular factor I’ve seen thus far is simply the wish to be nice and the aggressive stamina to be … at all times open to studying.”
Certainly, Daniels does preparation with Washington’s digital actuality expertise — one thing he began his final yr at LSU — and work on the headset both earlier than or after apply daily. However Kingsbury stated, “He likes to be on the market doing it, seeing it.”
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“The most effective lesson in life is failure,” Daniels stated of the additional reps the morning walk-throughs afford him. “So, I get to fail in these varieties of conditions and transfer ahead. So, by the point sport time comes, I am not interested by [it], simply going on the market and taking part in.”
To simulate sport conditions, Kingsbury calls within the performs together with his cellphone, then runs routes. Daniels, carrying a helmet, will get the playcall by his AirPods earlier than receiving the snap from Pritchard. Earlier than the snap, Kingsbury tells Daniels what protection he ought to anticipate and reminds him about his drops and reads. The aim, they are saying, is to color a psychological image so Daniels can visualize what it might appear like in a sport.
Kingsbury is commonly the first receiver. Generally he’ll say he is coated so Daniels has to search out his subsequent learn. The three males go over numerous in-game situations: 30 seconds left, want a landing, pink zone work. They will name out one-word performs which have a number of choices and a particular snap rely — a two-word play, Taylor Swift, resulted in a landing cross to rookie Ben Sinnott earlier this yr.
Kingsbury and Pritchard stated Daniels not often wants a reminder of his duty on a given play.
“He is had this materials for lower than 12 hours,” Pritchard stated. “He is actually in tune with the place we’re already.”
Daniels receives the sport plan from the employees round 6 p.m. Tuesday, research it for 90 minutes and infrequently attracts out the performs in a pocket book.
“After I can get right here within the morning, I will go in there and form of simply stroll by it and I will visualize it, stroll by this or the reads, footwork,” he stated, “and if I’ve any questions? Kliff and [Pritchard] are answering them proper then and there.”
Daniels’ meticulous sport prep would not finish within the bubble. He texts Kingsbury about performs he is seen in different video games or watched on YouTube. Kingsbury likes that the performs he sends match Washington’s ideas.
On the morning of the season opener at Tampa Bay, Daniels requested Kingsbury for yet another walk-through earlier than heading to the stadium. So Kingsbury, Pritchard, assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough and quarterbacks Mariota and Jeff Driskel headed to a ballroom for one remaining spherical of psychological reps. This scene has repeated itself each game-day morning since — a routine Kingsbury stated he is by no means seen earlier than however helps clarify what he is seen from Daniels’ manner of processing all alongside.
“His soccer information is past what I feel any rookie quarterback anyone may ever presumably anticipate it to be,” Kingsbury stated. “He’ll convey up issues and I am like, ‘Yeah, I did not even take into consideration that, but it surely’s a sound level.’ He’ll make corrections on performs that I’ve designed, I will f— him up and he’ll be like, ‘No, no coach, you had been on this aspect once we had been doing our walk-through.’ ‘Actually? Yeah. OK. You are proper.'”
And a key a part of that information is homed within the bubble, ending round two and a half hours earlier than the primary crew assembly of the day.
“All I do know,” one assistant coach stated, “is that after I get right here they’re popping out of the bubble.”
DANIELS HAS ALREADY turn out to be identified for being a late-game hero. He has led six game-winning drives within the fourth quarter or extra time, which highlights the competitiveness and quietness underneath stress teammates have seen from him all season.
There was the 27-yard cross to McLaurin in a Week 3 “Monday Evening Soccer” win over Cincinnati with 2:17 left for a 38-26 lead. He led game-winning drives versus the New York Giants in Week 2; towards Chicago in Week 8; towards Philadelphia in Week 16; towards Atlanta in Week 17; and at Tampa Bay within the wild-card playoff win on Jan. 12.
Daniels leads the NFL with six landing passes within the remaining 4 minutes of regulation (and posted a 95.6 quarterback score).
“It is what you reside for,” he stated. “I am simply aggressive, man. I simply wish to win. I’ll do no matter it takes to win.”
Throughout practices, Washington’s quarterbacks will compete to see who probably the most correct passer is whereas throwing right into a web with three designated touchdown spots. On Fridays, they toss a ball from about 30 to 40 yards right into a yellow rubbish can positioned within the nook of the tip zone. Afterward, Daniels and Blough play a sport of HORSE with throws into the web.
“He likes to trash speak. He is bought a superb trash speak sport. I will give him that,” Blough stated. “I am solely 29, however he makes me really feel like an previous man generally and he can inform I haven’t got the identical arm energy I used to and it is the explanation I retired. He’ll remind me of that.”
The enjoyment Daniels brings whereas competing exhibits itself in every sport. Washington guard Nick Allegretti stated generally he’ll hear Daniels scream on the finish of scrambles.
“It is the thrill to yell,” Allegretti stated. “It is such as you’re stealing yards, and it brings power to the entire crew. It positively offers him juice. Each time that occurs the move simply begins to really feel actually, actually good. He is cooking.”
Teammates say Daniels is even-keeled in tense moments, which is a by-product, Daniels stated, of all of the work he is put in behind the scenes — earlier than the season and through.
After Washington beat Tampa Bay with a last-second discipline aim, Daniels sat stone-faced on the bench for a second, earlier than standing up, smiling after which calmly strolling to an interview.
“He has a really distinctive calmness about it,” Johnson stated. “A silent murderer.”
