Jayden Daniels took the league by storm last season. That hasn't stopped some from speculating that the Washington Commanders quarterback might not be able to keep up his meteoric rise to superstardom.
The sophomore slump can impact players who get complacent. Daniels doesn't fit into that category. Another fine example emerged from a former rival, who gave the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft a ringing endorsement that nobody saw coming.
Former rival thinks Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is here to stay (and he's right)
After Cam Newton and long-time Washington fan Wale spoke about the prospect of Daniels falling off on a podcast, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant leaped to the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year's defense on social media. And the praise was nothing short of staggering.
Jayden Daniels is here to stay. Nothing about how he plays the game of football shows he's a one hit wonder. Out of all athletic dual threat QBs who have played the game, Jayden Daniels reads the defense the best…He doesn't rely on his athletic ability, and that's what makes him dangerous.Dez Bryant via X
Nobody is concerned about Daniels getting complacent after his heroic rookie exploits. He's highly determined to be great and stops at nothing to achieve his objectives. The talent was obvious from early on, but his love for the game and exceptional work ethic set him apart from most.
The comparisons to Robert Griffin III, another rookie sensation who flamed out quickly in Washington due to injury, are tiresome. Daniels is a more cerebral presence under center. He's a much better passer and processor. He's also more capable of coming through in the clutch, something that played a leading role in the Commanders' rise from obscurity to the NFC Championship game.
Daniels is only going to get better. The Commanders recognized this fact, surrounding the former LSU phenom with an improved supporting cast throughout another aggressive offseason from general manager Adam Peters. Everything is in place, so it would be a major disappointment if further improvements didn't arrive.
With notoriety comes increased expectations. Daniels galvanized a previously demoralized franchise and put Washington football back on the map. He did it all with a smile on his face and an aura that made him revered and loved around the league.
And make no mistake, he's just getting started.
