Why Commanders' Jayden Daniels feels he's entering 'prove-it' season

Many NFL experts see Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels as a legitimate Most Valuable Player Award candidate coming off his historic rookie season in 2024.

During a recent conversation with Jason Reid of Andscape, Daniels indicated he's putting all that he accomplished during his debut pro campaign behind him. 

"It’s a prove-it thing every year," Daniel said about serving as an NFL QB1. "This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business. Because of that, last year really doesn’t matter. I know I can play at this level. But I also have to go out there and continuously prove it. And doing that is really doing a combination of everything. It’s [improving] in the pre-snap process. It’s reading [the defense] faster. It’s about doing it better mechanically. It’s about leadership. It’s about learning the offense more in-depth. All of it."

The Commanders made Daniels the second pick of the 2024 draft after the Chicago Bears grabbed top-rated prospect Caleb Williams with the first overall choice. While Williams seems to be a work in progress still, Daniels played like a future superstar, winning 12 of his first 17 starts. 

Even before Daniels guided Washington to this year's NFC Championship Game, it was clear that he would run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. As of Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had Daniels fifth among the betting favorites at +750 odds to claim MVP honors for the 2025 season. 

"Last year … you’re trying to get your feet wet," Daniels continued while speaking with Reid. "You don’t really know what to feel or what you’re getting yourself into. Then, you get more comfortable week in and week out. And then it’s like, 'OK. I understand. I’ve been through a season.' But it’s still gonna be different for me this season. I still have to go out there and prepare the right way. I still have to play the game the right way."

League executives, coaches and scouts surveyed by ESPN in July ranked Daniels as the NFL's fifth-best quarterback for 2025. That said, Daniels has spent the preseason practicing without his favorite target, Terry McLaurin, after the wideout requested a trade amid his desire to land a lucrative contract extension. As of Friday afternoon, there was no indication McLaurin was close to inking a deal to his liking. 

McLaurin finished the 2024 regular season ranked second in the NFL with 13 touchdown catches. He also recorded team highs of 82 total receptions and 1,096 receiving yards.

Daniels insisted to Reid that he is staying "focused on what I can do" while attempting to avoid potential distractions. Getting McLaurin back on the practice field would undoubtedly make life easier for Daniels as Washington prepares for the 2025 campaign.