The Commanders’ turnaround from a 4-13 record in 2023 to 11 wins and a playoff spot in 2024 can be attributed to several factors, but one player looms larger than most.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels arrived with the second overall pick in April and it didn’t take him long to serve notice that he was ready for the NFL. Daniels has shown a flair for the dramatic by throwing a touchdown in the final 30 seconds of five different games and his touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz in overtime on Sunday night clinched the playoff berth for Washington. Daniels threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns overall and ran for another 127 yards in a game that illustrated all he brings to the field.
After the game, Ertz called Daniels “the most mature rookie I’ve been around” in regard to the poise he shows in late-game situations and said the Commanders are set for a long run of success because of who they have running the offense.
“It comes down to having a really good quarterback in this league if you want to be a good team,” Ertz said. “And from the moment I got here, seeing Jayden out there, I continually said this guy isn’t someone that’s going to be good, he’s good now. And when you have that position situated in this league, you’re gonna have a chance. This organization is in a great spot for years to come and I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Ertz will have plenty of company when it comes to singing Daniels’s praises because the entire feeling around the franchise has changed thanks to the growing exploits of their star rookie.
