Now, the Washington Commanders have blasted themselves off into a new era of franchise history. This dramatic change is mostly thanks to the phenomenal play of quarterback Jayden Daniels. He led the team to its first NFC Championship Game since the 1991 season, marking a significant milestone for both the player and the franchise. Daniels put together a performance that really highlighted his overall skill set. He cemented his place as an integral cog in one of the franchise’s most offensively prolific seasons in more than a decade.
When Daniels was drafted, that was clearly the hope. He obliterated those expectations, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and finishing seventh in the MVP voting. On top of that, he’s able to connect with the coaching staff and his teammates seamlessly. This connection has been the key for his quick rise through the league so far. With hopes focused on keeping this early success rolling, the Commanders have their sights set on Tampa Bay.
A Record-Breaking Season
Daniels’ impact on the field has been extraordinary. And even on designed runs, he was still scrambling—all the way to the NFL lead with 70 scrambles last season, well ahead of any other quarterback. This mobility gave him the ability to escape pressure and extend plays, helping him achieve a top quarterback rating of 132.6. Most impressively, Daniels posted the nation’s third-best QBR of 70.3 when under duress, a reflection of his quality in the storm amidst Adversity’s perfect storm.
Additionally, Daniels was pressured on 32.6% of his throws which was 22nd in the league. He demonstrated his knack for stepping up with a capital performance. Second, he’s a master at manipulating space, manufacturing time and separation for himself and his WRs. That talent has turned the Commanders’ offense into the most efficient offense we’ve seen in recent years.
“This is a guy that can take you to places you haven’t been in a long time. For that to happen, you have to have good protection; it also helps the run game which will help protect Jayden as well.” – Jay Gruden
Daniels’ influence is evident in his execution metrics as well. He had the best average yards after the catch of any qualified receiver in college football the past four years at 8.8 yards after the catch. This one stat is indicative of his unreal continuing passing skills. It’s a view that further underscores his ability to generate offense, even after the ball is out of his hands.
Building Relationships and Team Chemistry
The link between Daniels and the Commanders’ coaching staff, specifically his direct positional coaches, has been a big factor in his development. Assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough has been a huge factor in bringing him along through his rookie season. The two often engaged in competitive drills, including a quarterback version of Horse every Friday, fostering a strong bond that has translated into on-field success.
Daniels has credited veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota with his development. Daniels looked to Mariota for advice and mentorship. This newfound rapport has provided Daniels with almost a decade’s worth of Mariota’s invaluable experience.
“He’s meant a lot, obviously, for my development and my growth,” – Jayden Daniels
The Future Looks Bright
Seeing these encouraging signs, the Commanders are committed to creating a sustainable winner with Daniels at the center of it all. As a team they understand how important offensive line protection is. Most importantly, they know the best run game plans will protect their future star signal caller’s healthy, high-flying hopes.
“In a perfect scenario, a young quarterback would have a leader to also learn from,” – Dan Quinn
Head coach Dan Quinn echoed that sentiment, saying veterans help their younger teammates learn how to play within themselves. This makes it even more critical during high-pressure situations such as playoff games. Tide turning The chemistry that exists between Daniels and this coaching staff indicates to me that we’re on the cusp of more sustained success.
As they prepare for the upcoming season, General Manager Adam Peters reiterated the focus on enhancing team performance:
“We’re just trying to make our team as good as possible all the time.” – Adam Peters
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