Hated rival says what all Commanders fans knew about Jayden Daniels

Quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels took the league by storm as a rookie. He flipped the Washington Commanders' script, turning them from a bottom-feeder to a leading Super Bowl contender. And the best part? He's only going to get better.

Nobody can deny that based on last season's efforts. Not even one of Washington's fiercest rivals within its division.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs placed Daniels among his top-five quarterbacks in the league right now. He also listed Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Aaron Rodgers. And of course, the defensive back had to include Dak Prescott to prevent generating headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is striking fear throughout the league

This is something every Commanders fan knows about Daniels. They know what a special talent he is. The former LSU standout proved capable of thriving on the biggest stages and the most pressurized moments last season. That doesn't happen by accident, it comes through a unique blend of composure, dynamism, and precision.

Everyone is fully on board. It didn't take long for Daniels to win his teammates' respect after the Commanders chose him at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. His leadership, unassuming aura, and his love for the game did that effortlessly. The fact that he almost always came through in the clutch didn't exactly hurt, either.

The Commanders did everything possible to ensure Daniels avoided the dreaded sophomore slump this time around. Adam Peters fortified the offensive line with Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr. He acquired Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jaylin Lane to provide something different in the wide receiver room. The tight-end dynamic stayed the same, and seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt could be an instant-impact presence alongside the signal-caller in the backfield.

Everything is in place. It'll be more difficult for Daniels and the Commanders next season with their surprise element long gone. At the same time, he's brimming with confidence and taking nothing for granted in pursuit of sustained greatness.

That doesn't guarantee success, but it's not a bad platform from which to build. Daniels' mentality is just as elite as his on-field production. He's always striving for growth and is dragging his teammates along for the ride. He's the exact player Washington needed to spearhead its renaissance.

Diggs knows it. Everyone else in the NFC East does too. And if Daniels takes another surge forward next season, the Philadelphia Eagles will be nervously looking over their shoulders.

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