When the Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick last April, the hope was that he would help the team become a contender in the NFC again in the years to come.
This hope was misguided because it only took Daniels a few months to change the fortunes of the franchise. Five straight wins at the end of the regular season put the team back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season, their Wild Card victory over the Bucs was their first playoff victory since the 2005 season, and the score 45-31 on Saturday night. The Lions have them in the NFC title game for the first time in 33 years.
Daniels finished 22 of 31 for 299 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 51 yards in a victory that will make him the sixth rookie quarterback to start a conference title game. Head coach Dan Quinn attempted to explain what sets Daniels apart during his postgame press conference.
“He just has a different balance than most and he is a rare competitor“, Quinn said. “There’s no doubt about it. But in those moments, if he were a basketball player, he would want to have the last shot. As a baseball player, he wants the ball in his hands to do the difference and he makes big decisions with football. It requires real mindfulness.
Daniels and the Commanders may have arrived earlier than expected, but they won’t surprise anyone anymore because having an elite quarterback is the quickest way to success in the NFL and the latest addition to that group resides in Washington. That’s why it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Daniels becomes the first of these rookies to lead his team to the Super Bowl.