One tweak could help Commanders QB Jayden Daniels keep thriving

During the win, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury seemed to allow Daniels to be more aggressive.

Per CBS Sports' Jared Dubin, Daniels averaged 9.3 air yards per attempt vs. Cincinnati, seventh in the NFL in Week 3. Dubin added the Arizona State and LSU product only registered 4.7 air yards per attempt and threw 22-of-53 passes behind the line of scrimmage through his first two starts.

"This is the version of Daniels we need to see for the rest of the season," Dubin wrote. "There's no putting the genie back in the bottle here. We can't turn on the Commanders film next Monday after he and Kingsbury take on Kliff's old team [the Cardinals] and see a smattering of screens, hitches and nothing down the field. Build the offense to your player's best skill set."

Additionally, permitting Daniels to take more shots downfield could make Washington's offense more dynamic. Against Cincinnati, the Commanders (2-1) scored five TDs, compared to three through their first two games. 

More importantly, it should help the 23-year-old build confidence. 

Daniels — the second overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft — faces immense pressure to become the face of the franchise. Per ESPN's John Keim, Washington has started 10 QBs over the past five years. 

"I definitely understand our fan base has been waiting for the franchise QB, but I also don't want Jayden feeling any ghosts," Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday, via Keim. "making sure he understands there's only one name on the back of that jersey, and that's for him."

If the Commanders keep developing an offense that suits Daniels' strengths, he could meet expectations and further his Offensive Rookie of the Year case. As of Wednesday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives him the best odds (+125) to win the award.