Commanders QB Jayden Daniels plans to ‘eliminate some tendencies' to avoid sophomore slump
The addition of Deebo Samuel and some new offensive linemen should also help
Jayden Daniels knows the risk.
C.J. Stroud, Ja'Marr Chase, Dak Prescott and Robert Griffin III all won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors before Daniels claimed the award this past season.
All four — and many of their less-decorated draft classmates — took a step back in various production and efficiency metrics during their second pro season.
The sophomore slump in the NFL threatens perennially. It doesn't discriminate. Defensive coordinators have a season's worth of tape and an offseason of analysis to study rookies and strategize with a depth that game-planning against first-year players doesn't allow.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
So as Daniels prepares for his second season at the Washington Commanders' helm, he's not shying away from that risk.
He's embracing it. And aiming to thwart it.
'I'm sitting down and watching film and trying to eliminate some tendencies, as much as possible,' Daniels told Yahoo Sports this week over Zoom. 'Talking to the coaching staff on areas that they feel like I need to improve on and having conversations so we can all hit at full speed.'
Expectations were high when the Commanders selected Daniels second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniels exceeded them.
Daniels completed 69% of pass attempts for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. He rushed for another 891 yards and six scores, lifting the Commanders to a 12-5 record a year after they triumphed in just four games.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Washington hadn't posted a winning record in eight years, and the club hadn't won a playoff game since the 2005 season.
Behind Daniels and first-year (with Washington) head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders bested the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions en route to the NFC championship.
Along the way, the Commanders emphasized … having fun?
'The whole energy thing and positive energy — that plays a part,' Daniels said. 'Obviously the magnitude of stuff is different now but, at the end of the day, you still gotta be able to tap into that inner kid.'
Daniels tapped into his inner kid in part because offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury tailored a system to his quarterback's strengths, empowering Daniels to play freely.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
'He wanted me to be as comfortable as possible,' said Daniels, speaking in partnership with Celsius Energy Drink's 'Hydration' powder. 'We had conversations like, 'I didn't like this' or 'I don't like that.'
'He might have argued a little bit, but ultimately he wouldn't call a play that I wasn't comfortable with.'
Daniels remembers one week of game-planning during the season that included a play he didn't prefer. He and Kingsbury disputed the play's value in the game. They settled on trying it once.
'I gave him one shot, didn't like it [so] he just took it out,' Daniels said. 'You need people around you that's gonna remove the egos at the door.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
'Do whatever it takes to win.'
This offseason, the Commanders have directed that energy toward roster improvement. Washington traded for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil in March after trading for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore in November.
Offensive line additions came in free agency and the draft alike, with Washington spending its first-round pick on Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr.
And while Daniels already elevated receiver Terry McLaurin from a perennial 1,000-yard receiver to a 1,000-yard receiver hauling in 13 touchdowns a year after four, he's now got a new target in house.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
The Commanders' flurry of March activity included a trade for longtime San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel.
Daniels' expectation for Samuel?
'Obviously Deebo's a very versatile player,' Daniels said. 'He's a playmaker once you get the ball in your hand. After the catch, he does what he does. So just being able to acquire a guy like that, I'm super excited to continue to work with him.
'And we'll go from there.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
23 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Washington hosts Connecticut after Mabrey's 34-point performance
Connecticut Sun (2-6, 2-3 Eastern Conference) at Washington Mystics (3-6, 3-3 Eastern Conference) Washington; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Connecticut Sun visits the Washington Mystics after Marina Mabrey's 34-point outing in the Sun's 84-76 win against the Atlanta Dream. Washington finished 14-26 overall and 7-13 in Eastern Conference action last season. The Mystics averaged 79.3 points per game while allowing opponents to score 82.3 last season. Connecticut went 28-12 overall and 14-6 in Eastern Conference play during the 2024-25 season. The Sun shot 44.4% from the field and 32.7% from 3-point range last season. INJURIES: Mystics: Georgia Amoore: out for season (acl). Sun: Lindsay Allen: out (hamstring). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Washington hosts Connecticut after Mabrey's 34-point performance
Connecticut Sun (2-6, 2-3 Eastern Conference) at Washington Mystics (3-6, 3-3 Eastern Conference) Washington; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Connecticut Sun visits the Washington Mystics after Marina Mabrey's 34-point outing in the Sun's 84-76 win against the Atlanta Dream. Advertisement Washington finished 14-26 overall and 7-13 in Eastern Conference action last season. The Mystics averaged 79.3 points per game while allowing opponents to score 82.3 last season. Connecticut went 28-12 overall and 14-6 in Eastern Conference play during the 2024-25 season. The Sun shot 44.4% from the field and 32.7% from 3-point range last season. INJURIES: Mystics: Georgia Amoore: out for season (acl). Sun: Lindsay Allen: out (hamstring). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What Analysts Get Wrong About Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers Deal
What Analysts Get Wrong About Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There is a common misconception when it comes Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. When Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million extension during the 2024 offseason, analysts compared the deal to similar agreements made by Geno Smith in Seattle (three-years, $75 million). Advertisement Mayfield was coming off a season in which he helped the Buccaneers reach the divisional round of the playoffs. He absolutely earned that money. Now, though, Mayfield has outplayed his current contract. That's the argument made by writer Tom Blair this week. Blair made it clear that Mayfield has outplayed his $33.3 million average. Last season, the former first overall pick set career highs in most statistical categories including passing yards (4,500), touchdowns (41), and passer rating (106.8). There's something that most analysts like Blair get wrong about Mayfield's contract, though. While Mayfield's per-year average is low, his cap hit is just over $23 million for this season. That number is actually $2 million more than Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, and $5 million less than Patrick Mahomes. Advertisement Next offseason, Mayfield's cap hit is set to increase to a whopping $49 million. That cap number will count for 18% of the team's money per Spotrac, and will be $18 million more than Hurts next season. A big reason why the Buccaneers have been able to retain some of their top talent is because of Mayfield's current contract. Compared to other top quarterbacks in the conference, the Oklahoma product costs a fair amount. And at the end of the day, the Buccaneers know they need to retain as much of their talent as possible if they want to make a Super Bowl push. Mayfield may seem like an underpaid asset for Tampa Bay, but the reality is that he is exactly where he needs to be to keep the Bucs in contention. Advertisement Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Has Glowing Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka Related: Buccaneers Boast Crowded Wideout Room Ahead of Training Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
