The Washington Commanders have gone through a quarterback carousel over the past few years. When Kirk Cousins left after the 2017 season, it has not been smooth sailing for them at the quarterback position. They have gone through players like Alex Smith, Carson Wentz, and Taylor Heinicke for example.
Even in that time span, they have won a couple of NFC East division titles, but it has been a long time since they won a playoff game. The Washington Commanders are looking to restore the glory days when they won three Super Bowl titles.
Washington will look for stability in a lot of places for the next decade. The rookies that they drafted this season hope can be part of a foundation for a very long time.
CBS Sports Questions How Will Jayden Daniels Perform During His Rookie Season With the Washington Commanders
In the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young went first overall to the Carolina Panthers and C.J. Stroud went second overall to the Houston Texans. Stroud had a much better rookie season than Young did.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears took quarterback Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and the Washington Commanders selected quarterback Jayden Daniels second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports questions how will quarterback Jayden Daniels fare during his rookie season. Kerr said:
“The Commanders decided to rebuild after a disastrous season in 2023, embracing a fresh start with Dan Quinn as head coach and rookie Jayden Daniels at quarterback. Kliff Kingsbury and Brian Johnson will be in charge of developing Daniels, whose dual-threat ability at the position will be a problem for NFC East defenses in Year 1.
How will the Commanders utilize Daniels? Will they allow him to take off at will or hone him back a bit to keep him healthy for 17 games and develop him as a passer? If the Commanders let Daniels loose, he could put up some massive numbers on the ground and help the offense put points on the board.
Daniels also has good wide receivers in Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson to lean on, a plus for any first-year starting quarterback. Having Austin Ekeler as a pass-catching option at running back and a reliable pass-catching tight end in Zach Ertz doesn’t hurt either.
The Commanders are better with Daniels at quarterback. If Daniels can avoid the turnovers, the Commanders’ rebuild may go significantly quicker than expected.”
Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders has the same body frame as Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers. Daniels needs to play better than him this season to not be labeled as a bust after year one.
Some think Daniels has the potential to be a Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. He will have Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson to throw too.