NFL: Commanders officially name Daniels as starting QB

The Washington Commanders have officially named Jayden Daniels their starting quarterback for the upcoming NFL season.

Everyone expected the franchise to come to that decision eventually but coach Dan Quinn has finally gone public with choosing the No.2 draft pick.

Daniels had been working with the first team in training camp for three consecutive weeks but was made to prove himself.

And he has done exactly that.

Quinn said: “We knew we would get here.

“But we were just excited to see how we would. Seeing him hit all the spots, this is a rare competitor. He’s just had a remarkable start to things.”

Quinn broke the news to Daniels during a meeting on Monday, telling the young gun he had earned his opportunity.

nobody will remember:
– your salary
– how “busy you were”
– how many hours you worked

people will remember:
– the day Jayden Daniels was named QB1 pic.twitter.com/sjjZaBpJw4

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 20, 2024

It was a formality, but the QB was grateful all the same.

Daniels added: “They didn’t want to go out there and [immediately say] hey, you’re a starter.

“I haven’t earned anything. What I did in college was great. Now it’s time for a new slate, clean slate.

“I have to prove it not only to myself, not only to the coaches, but to my teammates. If DQ is going to preach competition and you’ve got to earn everything, man, they can’t come in and just give me the job right away. So, I got to have to go earn it.

“It’s just a blessing that DQ and AP trust me to go out there and lead the team, lead the franchise to hopefully win some games.

“It’s something I’ve dreamed about as a kid to experience this moment.”

Daniels will be the Commanders’ seventh new QB in as many years as they look to challenge the teams around them this season.

He has started both pre-season games so far, completing 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards.

He is yet to throw a touchdown but did score a rushing drive against the New York Jets.

The Commanders will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on opening weekend before facing the New York Giants in Week 2.