Aug 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports It felt like the Washington Commanders had been wandering the desert for the last decade.
But as the old saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day, and the Commanders struck gold by drafting Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders, under new owner Josh Harris, were unwilling to move the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They were steadfast on selecting Daniels, the dual-threat quarterback that had just won the Heisman at LSU. He was immediately named Washington’s starting quarterback.
Without college teammate Malik Nabers, who is already doing huge things for the New York Giants, skeptics wondered how Daniels would fare in an organization known for failing quarterbacks.
But Daniels proved on Monday Night Football that he’s cut from a different cloth. In a showdown against fellow LSU Heisman Joe Burrow, Daniels and the Commanders exploded for 38 points. Daniels had more touchdowns (three) than interceptions (two). Washington sent the Cincinnati Bengals to 0-3 by defeating them 38-33.
He threw for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns while rushing for 39 yards and a touchdown.
On a big fourth down with less than five minutes to go in the game, Daniels convinced new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn to go for it. Daniels knew that one more first down would all but seal the victory for Washington.
Quinn trusted his rookie quarterback, who threw a strike to tight end Zach Ertz for a first down and would go on to seal the massive primetime victory for the Commanders.
Washington is 2-1 with consecutive victories against the Bengals and Giants. Their lone defeat came in the opener against Baker Mayfield’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s hard to win games in the NFL. That’s a fact. It’s even harder when you have a 23-year-old rookie quarterback and a brand new coaching staff. At 2-1, nobody outside of diehard D.C. fans is proclaiming that the Commanders will win the NFC East.
But in a somewhat suspect NFC, if Daniels remains hot, perhaps they can make a playoff run.
Expectations are a scary thing. It’s uncomfortable to put a timeline on what success could look like. Regardless of how the season ends up from a record perspective, the future is bright in Washington. It really seemed like a star was born right in front of our eyes on Monday Night Football.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury might’ve found his fit in the NFL. While it only took six years, Washington might’ve finally found a competent quarterback to get the ball to Terry McLaurin, who somehow has four straight seasons over 1,000 yards receiving.
Long gone are the days of Sam Howell, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen. Washington has an answer at quarterback.
