ASHBURN, Va. – Everyone makes errors, and rookie quarterbacks set to play their first regular-season game in Week 1 are no exception. However, according to Jeff Driskel, Jayden Daniels has never made the same error twice during a month of training camp with the Washington Commanders.

“That’s exactly what you want to observe,” Driskel noted. “Especially considering someone with so many responsibilities at this early stage—it’s truly impressive.”

When it comes to sharing any advice, Driskel stated he has nothing to offer.

“He doesn’t require advice,” said Driskel, who has started 12 games across five teams over six years in the NFL.

Daniels has substantial experience in critical games; the former quarterback for Arizona State and Louisiana State played 55 games in college over five seasons, culminating in winning the Heisman Trophy in his final year.

“He’s shown that he can perform at an elite level,” added Driskel. “I’m eager for everyone to witness what we’ve been observing since he was drafted here.”

“He’s an exceptionally smart and instinctive player, and that becomes evident on game day.”

However, Daniels had to secure the starting position after the Commanders selected him second overall in the draft. Head coach Dan Quinn’s philosophy in his first year—and something that will continue beyond the 2024 season—is rooted in competition.

Earlier this week, Quinn revealed his starting decision to Daniels in the quarterback room, telling the 23-year-old, “you’ve completely excelled,” and it was time to announce it.

“It was a great moment, one that he rightfully earned,” Quinn commented.

Quinn was so confident in his decision that he announced it to the media before informing the rest of the team.

“I expect they might have already guessed it before you all did,” he remarked.

Center Tyler Biadasz, who joined the Commanders from the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, commented that Daniels’ maturity and emotional steadiness have left a strong impression on the team.

“You can’t tell the difference between moments; he’s always present when it matters,” Biadasz told YSL News Sports. “He stays focused, which is fantastic.”

Quinn emphasizes that Daniels plays with “swagger.” This confidence has positively influenced his teammates and helped build their trust in him. Since joining the team, Daniels has shown that he can be relied upon to make smart decisions, position the offense effectively, and execute the right plays.

After practice, Biadasz mentioned that Daniels often shares his observations with the receivers or offensive line. There is a clear “onto the next play” mentality, and he displays strong command of the huddle. At the line of scrimmage, he is adept at making protection calls and other adjustments, according to Biadasz.

“He’s engaged and focused,” Biadasz stated. “But what stands out the most is his daily growth.”

How the Commanders are easing Jayden Daniels’ transition

No team entered the offseason with as much salary cap space—$96 million—as the Commanders. While the roster needed improvement in various areas, Adam Peters signed numerous veterans to guide younger players, building a future contender.

On offense, they brought in running back Austin Ekeler, tight end Zach Ertz, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, and Biadasz. Running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Ekeler are anticipated to carry a large portion of the rushing workload.

“All these strategies were planned even before Jayden arrived,” Quinn remarked.

Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has adapted his scheme from his four years as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2019-22).

Kingsbury’s initial experience with a rookie head coach and quarterback came with Kyler Murray, another mobile playmaker, which helped him facilitate Daniels’ integration into the offense, allowing Daniels to push the boundaries of what the coaches can implement.

“It’s not just a lot of repetition,” Kingsbury explained. “You may repackage concepts but present them differently with various personnel, and he manages that effectively.”

“Thus far, he’s excelled at everything.”

Coaches remain cautious not to overwhelm Daniels mentally, understanding that his rookie success hinges on utilizing his natural talents—playing swiftly and attacking defenses, Kingsbury noted.

“It’s not about simplicity, but there’s careful thought regarding how these players will learn,” quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard explained. “Kudos to Kliff for designing a system that allows not just Jayden, but everyone, to learn efficiently.”

Daniels gave a glimpse of how this could manifest during his limited play in the preseason – having participated in the first two games but sitting out on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

“Our goal is to get the ball to our playmakers quickly, take advantage of opportunities, and excel in the running game,” Daniels mentioned.

In a small sample size, it was clear that he emphasized his initial reads. During the preseason, Daniels completed 12 out of 15 passes, including a 42-yard deep throw to Dyami Brown against the New York Jets. Brown has become one of Daniels’ preferred deep targets. He also scored a rushing touchdown in the same game against the Jets.

As reported by Pro Football Network, Daniels had an average throwing time of 1.9 seconds, with an average target depth of 5.6 yards. His precision and ball placement have continued to support the reasons why the Commanders selected him as the second overall pick.

Last season, rookie quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, playing for the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans respectively, illustrated the varying outcomes of a quarterback’s first season. One can reasonably expect that Daniels’ inaugural year will be a mix of both extremes.

Quinn has described himself as “impatient” and dislikes the word “rebuild.” However, he is willing to allow some patience for the growth of the future franchise quarterback.

“You might hear me say the phrase ‘expect the expected,’” Quinn said. “There will be challenges, and there could be missteps that are unavoidable. But understanding this is crucial for progress.”

Daniels’ ability to quickly address any problems and not make the same mistake twice has contributed to an encouraging start.

“That’s who he is,” Biadasz expressed. “He’s a competitor. He wants to win, he aims to make the next play even better.”