Jayden Daniels says quiet part out loud about Luke McCaffrey's silent resurgence

With Terry McLaurin's return in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears hanging in the balance, the Washington Commanders could be relying on Luke McCaffrey to provide a big-play threat once again. And based on how the wide receiver has performed in recent weeks, he'll be more than ready for the moment.

McCaffrey's silent resurgence this season is among the most significant positives to take from the first five games. The No. 100 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft has become more influential in the passing game. He's also among the league's most prolific kick returners to further raise his influence when the team needed him most.

Bringing in a deep ball from Jayden Daniels for a massive gain against the Los Angeles Chargers proved just how far he's come in a short space of time. It also showed that despite skepticism, his No. 1 quarterback trusts him completely.

Jayden Daniels credits Luke McCaffrey's work ethic for early-season breakout

Daniels lifted the lid on the secrets behind McCaffrey's breakout. His draft classmate believes the hard work put in during the offseason is paying off. The signal-caller also felt that his commitment to route enhancements and his willingness to think outside the box were yielding the desired results.

More definitive, getting in out his break, timing purposes also. He's been doing a great job of really honing on his own skills and getting better and finding different ways to get better. He also sees it through the eyes of a QB, so that's another good thing for him. And he puts in the work man, he put in the work this offseason, it's showing off, he's making big plays when we need him to.Jayden Daniels via Commanders.com

McCaffrey's influence is growing when most thought he would be on the fringes this season. Injuries have played a role, but the player's tireless commitment to progressing behind the scenes made sure he was ready when his time came.

It's also worth noting that McCaffrey is still in the process of learning the position. He played quarterback at Rice until his final two years of college, so this is only his fourth season playing the spot. He could only be scratching the surface of what he's capable of, and momentum is clearly on the wideout's side.

Professionalism. Purpose. Dedication. Those three words can best describe McCaffrey's rise to prominence. More importantly, he's gaining self-confidence and earning the trust of coaches and teammates alike. If he maintains these newfound standards, the second-year pro could emerge as an integral part of the team's long-term plans.

That's a win-win for everybody.