Commanders Coach Opens up on Jayden Daniels' Growing Comfort Level
Heading into the 2025 season, Jayden Daniels will be looking to avoid going through a sophomore slump. As the rising star prepares for his second season in the NFL, his coach seems confident that he'll remain on the path toward stardom.
Over the years, countless quarterbacks have reached the NFL and had an immediate impact as a rookie. However, Daniels is still a bit of a rare case. Along with throwing for over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, he managed to lead Washington all the way to the NFC Championship game.
Earlier this week, Daniels and the majority of the Commanders began their ramp-up for this season with mandatory minicamp. While speaking with the media, head coach Dan Quinn reflected on the growth he's seen in the young QB compared to last year. He went on to name multiple key improvements of the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, December 29, 2024, in Landover, Maryland. The Commanders defeated the Atlanta Falcons in overtime Sunday night, clinching their first spot in...
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, December 29, 2024, in Landover, Maryland. The Commanders defeated the Atlanta Falcons in overtime Sunday night, clinching their first spot in the NFL playoff since 2020. More
Stephanie Scarbrough/ASSOCIATED PRESS
"I've always felt he had real control of things and we work at the line of scrimmage a lot and he's really comfortable in that," Quinn said of Daniels, according to SI. "He was always somebody that really was on his details. What I guess seeing now is just the accuracy, the footwork, so more of his body mechanics that he wanted to emphasize. I see that coming through in his play."
Last season, Daniels was playing with house money as a rookie just looking to prove himself. That will not be the case in year two, as he has lofty expectations to live up to. After leading his team deep into the postseason, many want to see him keep solidifying himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
In the span of one year, Daniels was able to turn the Commanders from a retooling team to a contender. Now, the pressure is on for him to keep Washington in a position to contend in the NFC.
Daniels does have a lot of things going for him when it comes to maintaining his current trajectory. For starters, he knows what he's getting into now with a year of experience under his belt. Also, Washington continues to put him in a position to succeed. They went out and upgraded the cast of talent around Daniels in the offseason, most notably trading for Deebo Samuel.
Coming off his strong rookie campaign, Daniels looks ready to take the reigns as one of the premier QBs in the NFL. Only time will tell if he can continue to answer the call for the Commanders as the face of the franchise.
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