In a move that surprised no one, the Washington Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn officially announced Jayden Daniels as the team’s starting quarterback for Week 1. The Commanders will face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 8th, and all eyes will be on Daniels as he takes the reins of the offense.
The decision to name Daniels as the starter came after his impressive performance in the team’s second preseason game against the Dolphins. Daniels went 10-for-12 for 78 yards through the air and added 13 yards on the ground, leading Washington to scoring position on both of his two drives. His ability to move the ball effectively was on display, as both drives ended in field goal attempts. In the preseason opener against the Jets, Daniels scored a touchdown on a 3-yard keeper during his lone drive, showcasing his versatility as a dual-threat quarterback.
Throughout his short time with the franchise, Daniels has garnered praise from his teammates and coaching staff alike. The No. 2 overall pick and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner started training camp sharing first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota. Despite initially splitting reps, Daniels quickly established himself as the frontrunner and has since taken the majority of the first-team snaps.
“I like competing,” Daniels emphasized. “I’m a competitor, so regardless if I was announced the starter or not, you still got to compete… You can’t be content with your job. You got to go out there and compete.”
Quinn expressed his confidence in Daniels, stating, “He’s definitely surpassed even my expectations of readiness, command.” The coach commended Daniels’ work ethic and leadership qualities, noting that his teammates have gravitated towards him on and off the field.
Last season at LSU, Daniels put up impressive numbers, throwing for 3,812 yards and rushing for 1,134 yards while accounting for 50 total touchdowns. His accuracy and decision-making were standout qualities, completing over 72% of his passes with just four interceptions. This level of precision has translated to his performance in training camp and preseason games.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson raved about Daniels’ ability to place the ball in strategic locations, making the job easier for the receivers. Dotson described Daniels as a special talent and expressed gratitude for having him on their side.
With the announcement of Daniels as the starter, he becomes the Commanders’ eighth consecutive different Week 1 quarterback, following a line of quarterbacks that includes names like Sam Howell, Carson Wentz, and Alex Smith. As the team prepares to kick off the season, all eyes will be on Daniels as he looks to lead Washington to success on the gridiron.