It is a new era for the Washington Commanders, who have a new head coach and franchise quarterback. After finishing a woeful 4-13 and getting the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the franchise decided to part ways with head coach Ron Rivera. To replace him, the team hired Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator (and former Atlanta Falcons head coach) Dan Quinn.
The Commanders also pulled the plug on the Sam Howell experiment at quarterback. The 2022 fifth-round pick completed 63.4% of his passes for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. To take his place, Washington took Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Washington Commanders Have Already Named Jayden Daniels as Their Starting Quarterback
The Chicago Bears, of course, took USC’s Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. While it was assumed that they were going to take Williams leading up to the draft, there were some that believed (and still do) that Daniels is the better quarterback.
In his final season at LSU, Daniels completed 72.2% of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 more touchdowns.
It is his mobility that made him a coveted NFL prospect. That being said, the NFL game is much different than the college game, something that one of his new teammates was quick to remind him of.
Washington Commanders Running Back Austin Ekeler Issues a Frank Warning to Jayden Daniels
While speaking to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports on Monday, Ekeler revealed the warning that he issued to the mobile Daniels, who has been prone to take off running:
Austin Ekeler’s advice to his rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels when he takes off and runs: “If you have a gap, get your a** down. Get down!” pic.twitter.com/aLnViuaLWN
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) August 5, 2024
“Let the runners run, let the throwers throw. Every once in a while, if you have a gap, get down. Get down, right, if you can because you’re not built like we are to go and take hits. It’s a little different, it’s a lot different than college, the speed of the game, the size, the strength.”
If any fanbase can get behind this piece of advice from Ekeler, it would be Commanders fans.
Another former second-overall pick, Robert Griffin III, saw his promising career cut short due to a serious knee injury.
After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and making the Pro Bowl in 2012, Griffin was poised to be one of the biggest stars in the league. As a rookie, he completed 65.6% of his passes for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, just five interceptions, and had a passer rating for 102.4. He also rushed for 815 yards and seven more touchdowns.
After his knee injury, though, he was a shadow of his former self. He missed the entire 2015 season before being let go by Washington. He ended his career with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
If Daniels wants to avoid that kind of a career, he will have to learn when to run and when to play it safe. His body will not be able to take the hits that his running backs and wide receivers can take.
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!
