Adam Peters worked tirelessly to surround quarterback Jayden Daniels with everything needed to thrive this offseason. The Washington Commanders got more than they ever thought possible from the dynamic signal-caller as a rookie. Ensuring this becomes sustainable immediately became the general manager's most pressing priority.
Hopes are incredibly high that Daniels can continue his meteoric rise to superstardom. One respected analyst believes he's already right at the top.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels reaches summit of CBS Sports' post-draft rankings
Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports bestowed the highest honor for Daniels in his post-draft quarterback power rankings, placing the Heisman Trophy winner ahead of Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen at No. 1. The analyst didn't completely dismiss a sophomore slump, but he was far more confident about the LSU graduate taking his game to new heights thanks to his flawless demeanor.
Recency bias? Sure. But you'd be hard-pressed to find an NFL team that wouldn't hurry to claim him as its quarterback of the present and future, contenders included. He was simply unflappable for much of his dynamic debut, which ended on the doorstep of the Super Bowl. A second-year dip is possible, but who says [Jayden] Daniels won't keep climbing with some added veteran help in D.C.?Cody Benjamin
While this is something of a stretch right now, Daniels will have the top dog title in his sights. He's highly driven, enormously ambitious, and takes nothing for granted. It'll be more difficult next season with a bigger target on his back, but the player's exceptional performance levels within some pressurized settings in Year 1 represent the best possible foundation from which to build.
Daniels knows what he achieved last season means nothing now. He's all about looking forward to the future and the next challenge. That centers on evolving as a leader, relying more on his pocket passing, and helping the Commanders prove their 2024 accomplishments weren't just a flash in the pan.
Peters believes the Commanders have a superstar on their hands. Fans think it too, and the locker room is fully on board. Daniels has the world at his feet. Another leap forward could see him become the face of the entire league when it's all said and done.
These are incredibly lofty bars to aim for. But if Daniels wants to go from a rookie phenomenon to a legitimate, elite franchise quarterback capable of taking the NFL by storm for the next decade, meeting them is vital.
Daniels galvanized an entire franchise. But what comes next is eve
