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 large receiver Terry McLaurin had a sense the rookie would excel within the NFL.
By the top of coaching camp, they have been sure.
“I used to be telling everybody that may pay attention how good he could be,” Ertz mentioned. “Simply one thing obtained me actually excited. I knew there could be some rising pains, however his skill 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 enjoying in its first NFC Championship Sport because the 1991 season. And if they’ll beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, Fox), he’ll turn into 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 very best Complete QBR (86.8), throwing for 567 yards passing and 4 touchdowns and amassing one other 87 yards speeding whereas fueling Washington to highway 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 — huge 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 concerning the rookie’s preparation and want for further reps after observe.
A day later, as McLaurin warmed up on the sideline earlier than observe, a reporter advised the six-year professional that he had by no means appeared or sounded so enthusiastic a few quarterback.
“He is the actual deal,” McLaurin mentioned.
SHORTLY AFTER THE organized workforce 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 mentioned.
Luck, the previous first total decide in 2012 who was tabbed as a generational quarterback prospect, performed with Ertz at Stanford.
“Andrew had a gravitational pull. Guys simply wished to be round him,” Ertz mentioned. “He simply wished to be one of many guys and Jayden may be very related. Guys simply need to be round him as a result of he would not view himself as anybody aside from one of many guys.
“His method to the sport has actually been completely different in comparison with lots of people I have been round. A variety of occasions once you’re younger there’s quite a lot of trial and error and oftentimes, you are reactionary when it comes to how your course of is: ‘After I fail a pair occasions possibly I will do X, Y and Z extra.’ Whereas Jayden from the second he first obtained right here he was the primary one within the constructing finding out as a lot as potential.”
Washington’s plan within the spring was to have Daniels earn the beginning job by way of his preparation, habits and play all through the offseason program. Consequently, Daniels labored with the second unit whereas veteran Marcus Mariota took snaps because the starter.
However for Ertz, it was clear early Daniels could be QB1 when the 2024 season began (the Commanders made it official on Aug. 19). Daniels’ eagerness to be taught stood out. The rookie was continually speaking to veterans throughout observe, from Ertz to McLaurin to 11-time All-Professional linebacker Bobby Wagner, peppering them with questions.
Anticipating Daniels’ eventual promotion, Ertz mentioned 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 mentioned, “the way in which the ball popped out of his fingers. [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 obtained a particular, particular dude,” Cosmi mentioned in September. “That makes me excited to be right here.”
Daniels obtained 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 observe.
“He got here out right here and it was like bang, bang, bang, bang,” Johnson mentioned. “Simply completion after completion and the ball did not hit the bottom. He had the set up fully dialed and locked in. You turn into 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 observe, security Jeremy Reaves performed a protection in a method that shocked Daniels. After observe, Daniels requested Reaves why he had executed it that method, 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 mentioned. “You do not see that rather a lot.”
Ertz agreed.
“I have been round excessive draft picks — they really feel they’ve all of the solutions,” Ertz mentioned. “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 little bit higher. It was the humility that stood out to me.”
IN WEEK 5 in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, McLaurin completed with 4 catches for 112 yards. However up 31-6 within the third quarter, he could not dangle onto a cross within the nook of the top zone. It was not formally dominated a drop, however McLaurin thought-about it one and he had already fumbled that quarter.
It bothered him on the bench, and Daniels observed.
“I count on quite a lot of myself,” McLaurin mentioned. “He came visiting to me and sat down and talked to me and was like, ‘To begin with, we’re successful. You are enjoying nice. You are going to make that play 9 occasions out of 10. We belief you and I belief you, so I will proceed to return again to you and do not sweat the small mishaps.'”
Later within the season in opposition to Atlanta, McLaurin was held to at least one 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 mentioned, “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 offended 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 mentioned. “He wasn’t throwing his helmet, he wasn’t cussing anyone out, however you can see how mad and pissed off he was. That spoke to me. You may inform how a lot he cares. … I advised him, ‘I really like seeing that in you; do not ever lose that fireplace of hating to lose a sport. That is what is going on to make you completely different.'”
Daniels additionally has the flexibility 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 usually 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 mentioned. They sit collectively entrance and middle in workforce 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, “The whole lot.”
On New 12 months’s Day, Wagner was requested about having Daniels and different rookies on their management committee. As he began to reply, Daniels walked previous and mentioned, “Shut up, Bobby.”
“See, I am attempting to present him a praise and on cue he simply messes it up,” Wagner mentioned.
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 mentioned.
DANIELS ARRIVES AT the Commanders’ facility between 5 and 5:30 a.m. each Wednesday by way of Friday through 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 occasions on his iPad whereas soaking within the sizzling tub. Then, round 6 a.m., Daniels, Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard head over to the observe bubble to stroll by way of the roughly 60 to 70 performs on the sport plan listing for that week.
“I imply, 6 a.m. is early for a youthful cat,” Kingsbury mentioned, “[Daniels] desires to be there. That is the factor I admire. 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 up to now is simply the need to be nice and the aggressive stamina to be … at all times open to studying.”
Certainly, Daniels does preparation with Washington’s digital actuality know-how — one thing he began his final yr at LSU — and work on the headset both earlier than or after observe day-after-day. However Kingsbury mentioned, “He likes to be on the market doing it, seeing it.”
Better of NFL Nation
• Contained in the Liam Coen saga• McCarthy is the important thing for Vikings• How Jayden Daniels received over Washington• Jets should discover proper GM• Giants have No. 3 decide, $50M
“The most effective lesson in life is failure,” Daniels mentioned of the additional reps the morning walk-throughs afford him. “So, I get to fail in these sorts of conditions and transfer ahead. So, by the point sport time comes, I am not fascinated by [it], simply going on the market and enjoying.”
To simulate sport conditions, Kingsbury calls within the performs together with his telephone, then runs routes. Daniels, carrying a helmet, will get the playcall by way of his AirPods earlier than receiving the snap from Pritchard. Earlier than the snap, Kingsbury tells Daniels what protection he ought to count on 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. Typically he’ll say he is coated so Daniels has to seek out his subsequent learn. The three males go over numerous in-game eventualities: 30 seconds left, want a landing, crimson zone work. They’re going to name out one-word performs which have a number of choices and a selected snap rely — a two-word play, Taylor Swift, resulted in a landing cross to rookie Ben Sinnott earlier this yr.
Kingsbury and Pritchard mentioned Daniels not often wants a reminder of his duty on a given play.
“He is had this materials for lower than 12 hours,” Pritchard mentioned. “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.
“Once I can get right here within the morning, I can go in there and form of simply stroll by way of it and I will visualize it, stroll by way of this or the reads, footwork,” he mentioned, “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 last spherical of psychological reps. This scene has repeated itself each game-day morning since — a routine Kingsbury mentioned he is by no means seen earlier than however helps clarify what he is seen from Daniels’ method of processing all alongside.
“His soccer data is past what I believe any rookie quarterback anyone may ever probably count on it to be,” Kingsbury mentioned. “He’ll carry up issues and I am like, ‘Yeah, I did not even take into consideration that, however it’s a legitimate 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 have been on this facet after we have been doing our walk-through.’ ‘Actually? Yeah. OK. You are proper.'”
And a key a part of that data is homed within the bubble, ending round two and a half hours earlier than the primary workforce assembly of the day.
“All I do know,” one assistant coach mentioned, “is that once I get right here they’re popping out of the bubble.”
DANIELS HAS ALREADY turn into identified for being a late-game hero. He has led six game-winning drives within the fourth quarter or additional 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; in opposition to Chicago in Week 8; in opposition to Philadelphia in Week 16; in opposition to 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 last 4 minutes of regulation (and posted a 95.6 quarterback score).
“It is what you reside for,” he mentioned. “I am simply aggressive, man. I simply need to win. I will 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 internet 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 top zone. Afterward, Daniels and Blough play a sport of HORSE with throws into the web.
“He likes to trash discuss. He is obtained a superb trash discuss sport. I will give him that,” Blough mentioned. “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 power I used to and it is the rationale I retired. He’ll remind me of that.”
The enjoyment Daniels brings whereas competing exhibits itself in every sport. Washington guard Nick Allegretti mentioned generally he’ll hear Daniels scream on the finish of scrambles.
“It is the joy to yell,” Allegretti mentioned. “It is such as you’re stealing yards, and it brings power to the entire workforce. 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 mentioned, 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 area 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 mentioned. “A silent murderer.”
