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Jayden Daniels Washington Commanders
June 23, 2024 By  NFL, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders: Will Jayden Daniels Start Over Marcus Mariota in Week 1?

Washington Commanders news: The Chicago Bears are fully expected to start the new season with first overall pick Caleb Williams as their new QB1. The departure of Judtin Fields all but guarantees Williams taking over the helm from Day 1.

At this point, however, there’s a little more doubt surrounding Jayden Daniels‘ situation with the Commanders, especially with Washington bringing in veteran QB Marcus Mariota in the offseason.

Washington Commanders News: Tight Race Between Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota?

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Jun 5, 2024; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes a ball during an OTA workout at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

 

 

Daniels comes in with a stellar resume form his college playing days with the LSU and Arizona State. He’s reportedly been making significant progress as an NFL QB in the limited time he’s been with the Commanders, which only points to the notion that the 23-year-old is ready to start now:

“Daniels comes off a Heisman Trophy-winning season at LSU, in which he threw for 3,812 yards with 40 touchdown passes and only four interceptions,” wrote ex-NFL general manager Jeff Diamon. “He also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. Daniels was a four-year starter in college at Arizona State and LSU (37-18 record).

“He has impressed his Washington coaches and teammates with his work ethic. ‘There’s no doubt Jayden’s making unbelievable progress,’ (head coach Dan) Quinn said. ‘He’s earned that opportunity to compete.'”

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes the ball, at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, January 7, 2024.

 

 

Washington, however, brought Mariota in for a reason. The 30-year-old QB has a ton of experience under his belt, and he’s very much capable of taking over the reins for the Commanders.

Be that as it may, Diamond believes that Mariota will end up settling for the backup role behind Washington’s new and shiny quarterback:

“The last quarterback drafted first or second overall not to start in Week 1 was Mitchell Trubisky with the Bears in 2018. I don’t see Daniels on the bench for opening day. Mariota’s upside is limited as he enters his 10th NFL season, and he’s mostly been a backup in recent years.

That should continue in 2024,” Diamond wrote.

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Dec 9, 2023; New York, New York, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels takes a selfie with the Heisman trophy during a press conference in the Astor ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the Heisman trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

 

 

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About Paul Magno

Paul Magno is a veteran sports writer with over 20 years in the business. He also also has over forty years of experience in and around the sport of boxing. As a writer, his work has appeared on Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, Showtime, FightHype, Max Boxing, Boxing.com, Inside Fights, The Boxing Tribune, The Queensberry Rules, Overtime Heroics, Bleacher Report, and Premier Boxing Champions.

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