Quinn Names Daniels Week 1 Starter, Sets the Stage for Commanders' Season Opener
The Washington Commanders have finally put an end to the offseason speculation. Head coach Dan Quinn has officially named Jayden Daniels as the team’s Week 1 starting quarterback. The announcement, made on Monday, sets a promising tone for the Commanders as they head into their season opener against Tampa Bay on September 8.
Daniels' emergence as the starting quarterback comes as little surprise to those who have followed his meteoric rise since his college days. Last season at LSU, Daniels threw for an impressive 3,812 yards and added another 1,134 yards on the ground. His 50 total touchdowns and over 72% completion rate propelled him to become the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, solidifying his status as the No. 2 overall pick.
For the Commanders, stability at the quarterback position has been elusive, with a different Week 1 starter every year for the past seven seasons. The impressive preseason performance of Daniels, including a 10-of-12 passing display for 78 yards against the Miami Dolphins, seems poised to break this cycle of inconsistency. Daniels not only led the team efficiently on both of his drives but also showed versatility by adding 13 yards on the ground in the preseason game against Miami. "I'd say he's definitely surpassed even my expectations of readiness, command," Quinn stated, signaling his confidence in the young quarterback.
Initially, Daniels split first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota during training camp. However, by the second week, it became apparent that Daniels was the front-runner, as he began to receive the majority of first-team reps and has since taken almost every first-team snap. His seamless transition into the role was evident in his preseason performances, which included a dynamic 3-yard keeper for a touchdown against the New York Jets, right in the opening week of the preseason.
For Daniels, the announcement as the starter doesn't mean the end of competition. "No, I like competing. I'm a competitor, so regardless if I was announced the starter or not, you still got to compete," Daniels said. "You still can't be content with your job, comfortable. I think it is just your job to seal the deal. You got to go out there and compete." His commitment to ongoing improvement bodes well for a team in search of long-term solutions at quarterback.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson, one of Daniels' key targets, has also been vocal about the quarterback’s exceptional skills, noting how Daniels makes the game easier for his receivers. "He's putting the ball in places where it makes our job so much easier, because he is putting it where only you can get it and the defender has no play on it. You truly got to cherish stuff like that and be thankful for it, because not everyone can do that," Dotson explained.
The Commanders' previous starters, like Sam Howell in 2023 and Kirk Cousins back in 2017, have had their moments but haven't brought the consistency the team needs. As the Commanders prepare for their showdown against Tampa Bay, optimism surrounds the potential that Daniels brings to the table, underlined by a blend of strong preseason performances and a remarkable college career.
The pressure and spotlight will now be on Daniels to perform when it counts, a challenge he seems more than ready to embrace. With a coaching staff led by Dan Quinn and a supportive receiving corps, the stage is set for what could be a transformative season for the Washington Commanders.