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Jayden Daniels is finally, officially QB1 in Washington.
On Monday, the Commanders named their rookie quarterback the starter heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Daniels, after being taken second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, was widely expected to win the job but Washington made clear nothing would be handed to the Heisman Trophy-winner; he would have to earn the job.
And he did just that, beating out veteran Marcus Mariota for the top spot on the depth chart ahead of the team’s opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 8.
Daniels had spent recent weeks working with the first-team unit in practice. He started in both of the team’s preseason appearances thus far, completing 12 of his 15 passes for 123 yards. He has yet to throw a touchdown pass, but he ran for a score in his debut against the New York Jets.
For a quarterback-starved organization, Daniels is a potential lightning rod. No quarterback has opened consecutive seasons as the starter in the nation’s capital since Kirk Cousins. Eleven quarterbacks have started a game since the start of the 2019 season. Six quarterbacks have been drafted by the organization in the first round since 1994.
“I thought he had another really good outing,” coach Dan Quinn said after the Commanders’ preseason game against the Dolphins last Saturday. “The accuracy, the decision-making of where to go. He really is a unique competitor.”
Daniels’ work ethic impressed coaches. He’d arrive early and take the field prepared. Accuracy was praised in camp. Decision-making was on point. And when Daniels made his preseason debut, he put it all together.
At bet365, Daniels is priced +550 to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He’s second only to Caleb Williams (+140) in that regard. He’s +200 to lead all rookies in passing yards and +350 to lead rookies in passing touchdowns.
Daniels will look to lead the Commanders to the Playoffs for the first time since 2020. They’ve finished last in the NFC East in each of the last 2 seasons. Washington is +300 to make the postseason this year.
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Washington plays 1 more preseason game on Sunday against the New England Patriots. That game is set to be carried live on NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
