August 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops a pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Jim Russo-USA TODAY Sports It feels like Commander Washington has been wandering the desert for the past decade.
But as the old saying goes, even a broken clock is on time twice a day, and the Commanders struck gold by drafting Jayden Daniels.
Under new owner Josh Harris, the Commanders are unwilling to trade the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They stuck with Daniels, a dual-threat quarterback who just won the Heisman Trophy at LSU. He was immediately named Washington's starting quarterback.
Without college teammate Malik Nabors; Has made huge contributions to the New York Giantsskeptics wondered how Daniels would fare in an organization known for its failed quarterbacks.
But Daniels proved on “Monday Night Football” that he's a different guy. Daniels and the Commanders scored 38 points against LSU Heisman Joe Burrow. Daniels had more touchdowns (three) than interceptions (two). Washington defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33 to fall to 0-3.
He threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Down on fourth down with less than five minutes left in the game, Daniels convinced new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn to keep trying. Daniels knew that with one more first down, Washington would have all but sealed the victory.
Quinn trusted his rookie quarterback and threw a strike to tight end Zach Ertz for the first down and seal a huge primetime win for the Commanders.
Washington has defeated the Bengals and Giants in consecutive games and is 2-1. Their only loss came against Baker Mayfield's Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the opener.
Winning games in the NFL is hard. This is true. It's even harder when you have a 23-year-old rookie quarterback and a whole new coaching staff. At 2-1, no one outside of die-hard DC fans is claiming the Commanders will win the NFC East.
But in a somewhat questionable NFC, if Daniels stays hot, maybe they can make the playoffs.
Expectations are a scary thing. It’s uncomfortable to put a timetable on success. Regardless of how the season ends from a record-breaking standpoint, Washington's future is bright. On Monday Night Football, it seemed like a star was literally being born right before our eyes.
offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury may have found the right man in the NFL. Although it's only taken six years, Washington may have finally found a quarterback capable of throwing the ball to Terry McLaurin, who has somehow managed to catch the ball for four straight seasons The yardage exceeds 1,000 yards.
The days of Sam Howell, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen are long gone. Washington has an answer at quarterback.