August 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops a cross in the course of the first quarter in opposition to the Miami Dolphins at Arduous Rock Stadium . Obligatory Credit score: Jim Russo-USA TODAY Sports activities It looks like Commander Washington has been wandering the desert for the previous decade.
However because the outdated saying goes, even a damaged clock is on time twice a day, and the Commanders struck gold by drafting Jayden Daniels.
Underneath new proprietor Josh Harris, the Commanders are unwilling to commerce the No. 2 general decide within the 2024 NFL Draft. They caught with Daniels, a dual-threat quarterback who simply received the Heisman Trophy at LSU. He was instantly named Washington’s beginning quarterback.
With out school teammate Malik Nabors, who has already contributed significantly to the New York Giants, skeptics surprise how Daniels will fare in a corporation recognized for its failed quarterbacks.
However Daniels proved on “Monday Evening Soccer” that he is a distinct man. Daniels and the Commanders scored 38 factors in opposition to LSU Heisman Joe Burrow. Daniels had extra 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 whereas speeding for 39 yards and a landing.
Down on fourth down with lower than 5 minutes left within the recreation, Daniels satisfied new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn to maintain making an attempt. Daniels knew that with another first down, Washington would have all however sealed the victory.
Quinn trusted his rookie quarterback and threw a strike to tight finish Zach Ertz for the primary down and seal an enormous primetime win for the Commanders.
Washington has defeated the Bengals and Giants in consecutive video games and is 2-1. Their solely loss got here in opposition to Baker Mayfield’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers within the opener.
Profitable video games within the NFL is difficult. That is true. It is even tougher when you’ve gotten a 23-year-old rookie quarterback and a complete new teaching employees. At 2-1, nobody exterior of die-hard DC followers is claiming the Commanders will win the NFC East.
However in a considerably questionable NFC, if Daniels stays scorching, possibly they’ll make the playoffs.
Expectations are a scary factor. It’s uncomfortable to place a timetable on success. No matter how the season ends from a record-setting standpoint, Washington’s future is shiny. On Monday Evening Soccer, it appeared like a star was actually being born proper earlier than our eyes.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury might have discovered his area of interest within the NFL. Though it is solely taken six years, Washington might have lastly discovered a quarterback able to throwing the ball to Terry McLaurin, who has someway managed 4 straight seasons of receiving yards. The quantity exceeds 1,000 yards.
The times of Sam Howell, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen are lengthy gone. Washington has a solution at quarterback.
