In the new world we occupy of clinical disagreement and argument over any factoid, no matter how large or small; the one thing we can all agree on is that Jayden Daniels looks phenomenal.
After a slightly pass-shy, but nevertheless solid opening two games of the season, the former LSU Heisman Trophy winner burst onto the scene with a fantastic Monday night display at the Cincinnati Bengals, where the Washington Commanders eventually triumphed in a 38-33 thriller.
Jayden Daniels Looking Like The Clear Offensive Rookie Of The Year So Far
Although Daniels’ in-play metrics have not actually spiked since that game, posting games with a 96.3 and 85.1 rating respectively, his actual performance has been borderline brilliant.
From making truly breathtaking throws in pivotal moments in games, to dominating skilled opponents – such as the Arizona Cardinals, Daniels’ work on the field is not reflected in his post-game stat line.
Very similar, in fact, to a certain 2x MVP winner who also burst onto the scene in his debut season, this time all the way back in 2018.
Jayden Daniels = Lamar Jackson Of 2024?
Lamar Jackson road the coattails of a promising rookie year to a rip-roaring sophomore, MVP-winning year in 2019, only to bow out to the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, in what was one of the biggest postseason upsets in recent memory.
And, much like Lamar has become one of the league’s best players and arguably the most dangerous dual threat QB in the league, Daniels has displayed an impressive blend of producing dynamic plays with his feet and making throws into ultra tight windows on the regular.
Yet it seems like Daniels is, strangely enough, not keen on the comparison between himself and Jackson, per John Keim of ESPN.
“I don’t like when people try to compare me to Lamar; we’re two different players. I want to be known as Jayden Daniels and not the next such-and-such. I like watching good quarterback play. I’m a fan of his, and how he plays the game, how he approaches the game.
But we’re two different quarterbacks, two different styles. I appreciate what he’s done for the sport and what he’s done for the African American quarterbacks.
But for me it’s just, go out there and try to be unique and try to be different from everybody. Appreciate what they do because you can always learn from other quarterbacks in the league. I’m not closed-minded.”
It stands to reason that, like many other rising stars in the sport – and indeed any sport, Daniels is concerned with building his own name, his own brand, rather than trying to tie it to someone else’s – even if that someone else is one whom he admires.
Jackson himself also had some words to say about the potential comparison of the two.
“He’s his own player. He’s his own man. At the end of the day, we’re trying to make a name by ourself, not anyone else.”
Clearly both feel the best way forward is to improve their own game as best they can, and leave links and comparisons between the two to a minimum.
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