ASHBURN, Va. — Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback, smiled during his first news conference with the team. Dressed in an all-black suit and a dark gray Commanders ball cap, Daniels listened to a question from a local reporter about his potential to have a “soul-stealing impact” on opposing defenses.
Daniels responded by referencing his performance in the 2023 game against Florida. He became the first FBS quarterback to throw for at least 350 yards and run for at least 200 yards in a single game. He also set an SEC record with 606 all-purpose yards. His outstanding performance elevated him as a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy.
Washington general manager Adam Peters was impressed by Daniels’ historic game against Florida, stating that it showed off his accurate arm and electric running ability.
In his first two NFL games, Daniels has shown flashes of these skills. He rushed for 88 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and led seven scoring drives using both his arm and legs to defeat the New York Giants.
The Commanders are hoping that Daniels can be a centerpiece of their rebuild after finishing with a losing record for seven consecutive seasons. However, they acknowledge that they will need more than just Daniels’ talent to become serious playoff contenders.
During the Florida game, there were concerns about Daniels’ availability due to entering concussion protocol after LSU’s loss to Alabama the previous week. However, he passed protocol tests and played exceptionally well against Florida.
Daniels showcased both his running ability and passing skills during the game. His signature play came when he outran defenders on an 85-yard touchdown run in response to Florida’s defensive strategy.
He also displayed excellent reading of coverage throughout the game and made several deep throws with precision accuracy.
After throwing a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter, Daniels celebrated by striking a Heisman pose alongside backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
Daniels received numerous text messages congratulating him on his historic performance following the game.
