ASHBURN, Va. — On Monday morning, Dan Quinn visited Jayden Daniels in the quarterback room with the most obvious news — except for the announced signing.
The Washington Commanders head coach announced to Daniels — and subsequently the world — that he would be the starting quarterback in Week 1. As far as secrets go, hearing that the dual-threat will be under center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came as no shock to anyone who paid even a cursory attention.
“We knew Jayden would do it, but Adam (general manager) and I were excited to see how he did it,” Quinn said. “His journey has been absolutely exceptional. He’s done it all. He hasn’t missed a beat. He’s achieved the goals. He’s ready and he’s earned the right to do it.”
Given Daniels’ origin story, it was obvious he would reach this level. At age seven, he hung a sign above his bedroom door stating that he would one day play in the NFL.
“It’s a surreal moment,” said Daniels, 23.
Regardless, Daniels didn’t assume anything when Quinn entered the room.
“Nothing is a given in this world,” Daniels said with a broad smile.
“When he told me, I was surprised. I didn’t know what he was talking about. I thought he was going to talk to me about my routine for the preseason game on Sunday.”
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has been the talk of the (non-political) Washington area since Washington selected him with the second overall pick in April’s NFL draft. Only an injury or a UFO could have stopped him from becoming the eighth starting quarterback in eight seasons.
The presence of veteran Marcus Mariota gave Quinn a chance to compete, but even the coach acknowledged there was no doubt.
“He’s a rare competitor,” Quinn said. “I knew that, but to see him in his own building, on his own team, surrounded by new teammates, it was cool to see.”
Quinn said Daniels’ best practice came last Tuesday before Washington traveled to Miami for a joint practice and preseason game against the Dolphins. Assuming he doesn’t play in the final preseason game against the New England Patriots, Daniels finished his two games with 12 of 15 completions for 123 yards, including 16 rushing yards and a touchdown.
“Nothing Jayden does surprises me,” offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. The Athletic after the Dolphins’ joint practice. “He comes in, works his butt off and it seems like every day he makes a check or a play that (shows) he’s taken a step forward. That’s what’s exciting. The steady improvement we see every day. When you put those days together, hopefully it pays off during the season.”
Washington still has several other roster and roster battles to fight, including the hierarchy at receivers, outside cornerbacks and offensive tackles. While Daniels had classic learning moments — and scared Quinn into making contact against Miami — those discussions are long over at the most impactful position in the game.
“What DQ and (the staff) preach here is competition,” Daniels said. “You have to earn your right to stay. You have to earn your right on the field. … Going out there and competing makes everybody better. What they preach, they live by it.”
Required Reading
(Photo: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
