Aug 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops again to go towards the Miami Dolphins throughout the first quarter at Exhausting Rock Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports activities It felt just like the Washington Commanders had been wandering the desert for the final decade.
However because the previous saying goes, even a damaged clock is true twice a day, and the Commanders struck gold by drafting Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders, beneath new proprietor Josh Harris, had been unwilling to maneuver the No. 2 total choose within the 2024 NFL Draft. They had been steadfast on choosing Daniels, the dual-threat quarterback that had simply gained the Heisman at LSU. He was instantly named Washington’s beginning quarterbacokay.
With out school teammate Malik Nabers, who’s already doing large issues for the New York Giants, skeptics puzzled how Daniels would fare in a corporation recognized for failing quarterbacks.
However Daniels proved on Monday Evening Soccer that he’s reduce from a distinct fabric. In a showdown towards fellow LSU Heisman Joe Burrow, Daniels and the Commanders exploded for 38 factors. Daniels had extra touchdowns (three) than interceptions (two). Washington despatched the Cincinnati Bengals to 0-3 by defeating them 38-33.
He threw for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns whereas speeding for 39 yards and a landing.
On a giant fourth down with lower than 5 minutes to go within the recreation, Daniels satisfied new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn to go for it. Daniels knew that yet another first down would all however seal the victory for Washington.
Quinn trusted his rookie quarterback, who threw a strike to tight finish Zach Ertz for a primary down and would go on to seal the huge primetime victory for the Commanders.
Washington is 2-1 with consecutive victories towards the Bengals and Giants. Their lone defeat got here within the opener towards Baker Mayfield’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s exhausting to win video games within the NFL. That’s a reality. It’s even tougher when you may have a 23-year-old rookie quarterback and a model new teaching employees. At 2-1, no one exterior of diehard D.C. followers is proclaiming that the Commanders will win the NFC East.
However in a considerably suspect NFC, if Daniels stays sizzling, maybe they will make a playoff run.
Expectations are a scary factor. It’s uncomfortable to place a timeline on what success might seem like. No matter how the season finally ends up from a report perspective, the long run is vivid in Washington. It actually appeared like a star was born proper in entrance of our eyes on Monday Evening Soccer.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury may’ve discovered his match within the NFL. Whereas it solely took six years, Washington may’ve lastly discovered a reliable quarterback to get the ball to Terry McLaurin, who someway has 4 straight seasons over 1,000 yards receiving.
Lengthy gone are the times of Sam Howell, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen. Washington has a solution at quarterback.