The Rise of Jayden Daniels: Commanders QB Sets New Rookie Standards

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The Rise of Jayden Daniels: Commanders QB Sets New Rookie Standards

Rookie QB Jayden Daniels has taken the league by surprise, delivering standout performances that have elevated the Commanders’ offense. Explore the meteoric rise of this dynamic playmaker and why he’s poised to be a star.

The Washington Commandos and Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 3 Monday night football game was billed as a duel between two of LSU’s best quarterbacks and its two current Heisman Trophy winners. It did indeed live up to the expectations.

In the high-scoring game, Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow both excelled. With his touchdown pass of at least three hundred yards in a single match, Burrow joined Andy Dalton as the only other quarterback in NFL history to accomplish this feat. Daniels, though, stole the show as he led the Commanders to an unexpected 38-33 victory.

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In 2024, Daniels was selected by Washington as the second overall choice in the NFL draft thanks to an incredible performance. Along with his exceptional agility, he demonstrated his remarkable downfield passing skills.

But more than anything, Daniels made his third NFL start of the season while being accurate and effective. By doing so, he was able to break the rookie record and contribute to the Commanders’ unexpected 2-1 season opening win.

Bengals vs. Jayden Daniels statistics

In a game where an individual tried at least 20 passes, Daniels’ completion % set a new freshman record. The previous mark of 88.9 percent was held by Dak Prescott, who accomplished it in a game against the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay in 2016.

Daniels was exactly as precise as the statistics suggest. Earlier in the game, he got Terry McLaurin uncovered for a long touchdown, but he misfired miserably, throwing the ball over and behind him while facing interior pressure.

After that, Daniels’ throws showed excellent ball placement. Perhaps he saved the best for last, because on a third-and-7 he iced the game with a wonderfully timed dotted ball to McLaurin near the final zone.

Commanders' rookie Jayden Daniels played almost flawlessly in a 38-33 victory over the Bengals.

In addition to his dominance in the air, Daniels was an important component of Washington’s ground strategy. He led the Commanders in rushing with 39 yards and scored early in the game on a read-option play.

Daniels has a record level of efficiency and dual threat capability. The Commanders rookie is the first player in the history of the NFL to pass for 250 yards and a pair of scores, run for a touchdown, and complete 90% of his passes since at least 1950, according to NFL researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno.

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Undoubtedly, Daniels’ coming-out celebration felt like Monday. In fact, he admitted during a news conference held after the game that he was not sure if he had ever played a game in which he couldn’t complete two passes.

He also left the game with the assurance that, on one of the biggest stages in the NFL, he had demonstrated exactly what he had hoped to.

“I’m a rival,” Daniels declared to the press. “My goal is to compete at the top level. Going outside every Sunday and accomplishing things that many people throughout the world are unable to accomplish is a blessing.”