This week, Doug Williams found himself watching video footage of Jayden Daniels again—who else?—and took a moment to offer deep insights from one quarterback to another.

The legendary Williams reflected on the emerging star. This is bound to be interesting.

“He’s always calm and always strategizing,” Williams shared with YSL News Sports. “When you observe him, it’s clear his brain is always in gear. He never seems mentally flustered. Even if he misplaces a teammate, he can still gain positive yardage with his running. But running isn’t his only strength. When he moves out of the pocket, you can bet he’s checking for open receivers downfield. He exudes composure.”

“It’s hard to fathom that this is a young man with only four starts under his belt. It’s as if he’s been through all this before.”

As Daniels gears up for Sunday’s showdown with the Cleveland Browns, he’s become a key storyline in the NFL this season – leading the Washington Commanders (3-1) to three straight wins in dramatic fashion, boasting the highest completion percentage (82.1%) for any four-game stretch since 1950 with a minimum of 100 passes thrown, and positioning himself as a frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Williams reflects this excitement with the fervor of a devoted D.C. football fan.

Indeed, “PTI” Tony, the Daniels bandwagon is once again gaining steam. This team, which shed its offensive name in 2020, has desperately needed a player like Daniels to help steer it into a new chapter.

However, for Williams, who made history in 1988 as the first Black quarterback to start and win at the Super Bowl, the connection runs deeper. He speaks like a proud uncle when discussing Daniels.

“His journey means a ton to me because of our shared backgrounds,” Williams, the Super Bowl XXII MVP, noted. “It’s difficult to say this isn’t tied to the fact that he’s a young African-American talent, but watching him excel because of the paths carved by those before him — being a witness to his daily growth — brings me immense joy.”

Williams does not need to elaborate on the pride he feels for Daniels. Yes, a considerable number of starting quarterbacks in the NFL today are African-American. However, during Williams’ playing days, the numbers were starkly fewer. Back in 1984, when Warren Moon entered the NFL with the Houston Oilers, he was the only Black quarterback in the league. At that time, Williams was in the USFL. Williams’ race became a focal point when he appeared on the grand Super Bowl platform.

Furthermore, it’s important to remember that well before Williams’ time, Washington was the last NFL team to break racial barriers by having a Black player.

Do you think Daniels has approached Williams to learn about this historical context? Not really.

“Not directly,” Williams replied, “but I think he’s expressed his understanding through his actions more than words ever could.”

“I’ve known Jayden for quite a while,” Williams shared, reflecting on that cherished sideline moment. “It’s simply a reflection of mutual respect between us, based on what we give to one another. It’s a joy to share a space with someone like Jayden, who embraces humility.”

“For me, I’m here for him to lean on, not that we delve into football strategies; he has plenty of coaches for that. I just remind him to continue being himself.”

“Who would have imagined back then that I would find myself in the same workplace with this young individual each day?” Williams pondered. “I certainly didn’t.”

Interestingly, the new leadership at Washington, consisting of coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters, reintegrated Williams into the team’s football operations this year after a previous regime had sidelined him. Although Williams retained a role, it was largely removed from football-related duties under the tenure of team president Jason Wright. Previously, when Bruce Allen was GM, Williams held a pivotal position in the personnel department.

“The environment feels different when there isn’t someone in the building feeling threatened, unlike during the previous management,” Williams stated, undoubtedly critiquing Rivera. “Since Dan arrived, the ownership dynamics have changed.”

During a discussion led by Josh Harris, Adam posed a question: “Why not keep Doug around?”

In his new position, Williams focuses on video analysis to evaluate player performance. He regularly meets with Peters and assistant GM Martin Mayhew to share his observations. While he isn’t heavily involved with coaching, he praises the flexible strategies that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has implemented to support Daniels. Williams also noted that Quinn has been effective in managing the excitement surrounding the team.

“He reminds everyone: We haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Williams shared.

Williams understands that football seasons – and players’ careers – come with many ups and downs. He feels optimistic about the rookie’s mindset and strong work ethic. The rookie has also gained the respect of his teammates and consistently performed well on the field.

“He’s been amazing,” Williams stated. “It’s tempting to celebrate his success, but it’s hard to ignore what’s happened in the last month. I think he’s aware of it too, which is a positive sign.”

Considering the challenges faced by Washington’s franchise and what Daniels might bring to the table, the expectations for this new phase are understandably high. Williams appears ready to assist the rookie in navigating these pressures.

“It’s still early,” he emphasized. “We don’t want to burden the kid with expectations. We want him to just focus on playing football. It’s best not to even mention it. There’s still a lot of work ahead.”

“The fans are thrilled, and they have every reason to be excited. But for those of us in the football office, it’s our job to ensure we manage those expectations.”

This situation clearly presents a positive dilemma for the Commanders at this moment.