Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Travis Kelce Issues 'Challenge' To Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Jan 31, 2025 10:13 AM ET

The Washington Commanders completed an incredible organizational turnaround this season, going from the second pick in the NFL Draft to within one game of a Super Bowl appearance.

The player they drafted with that second overall pick, Jayden Daniels, has been a major reason for the team's resurgence. Daniels was excellent this season, posting arguably the greatest rookie campaign by a quarterback in league history.

The future is certainly bright in Washington, and one multi-time Super Bowl champion has a challenge for the young quarterback in year two.

"There’s been a lot of quarterbacks that have one really good season as their first year. We’ll see Jayden, that’s a challenge to you brother," Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce said on the "New Heights" podcast with his brother Jason.

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce issues a challenge to #Commanders QB Jayden Daniels:

“There’s been a lot of quarterbacks that have one really good season as their first year. We’ll see Jayden, that’s a challenge to you brother. I want to see it, I know I want to see it. I’m a fan.”… pic.twitter.com/eusHwXiWeK
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) January 31, 2025

"I want to see it, I know I want to see it. I’m a fan.”

Daniels will look to continue the great form he showed in his first season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl, and will likely be named the NFL's offensive rookie of the year next week.

Daniels went 12-5 as a starter in the regular season, throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns. He then won two playoff games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions, leading the Commanders to the NFC championship game.

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 22: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders reacts during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. The Commanders defeated the Eagles 36-33. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)Kara Durrette/Getty Images

Jason Kelce noted that the Eagles, his former team, are going to have to deal with Daniels, head coach Dan Quinn and the Commanders for years to come. The NFC East may have had a relative down year after the Cowboys tapered off in 2024, but the division is trending in the right direction.

The Eagles and Commanders were Super Bowl contenders this season, and the Cowboys could return to that level if they bounce back from an injury-filled campaign. The New York Giants are also looking to return to form after missing the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.

We'll see what happens next year in the division, but if Daniels can live up to Kelce's challenge and repeat the success he had in 2024, the sky's the limit for both the quarterback and the organization.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: