ASHBURN, Va. — Everyone knows Jayden Daniels is the center of attention, even if the Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback with the confident yet chill vibe tries his best to just be one of the guys.
“He’s open. No pretenses,” Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard said. “He’s somebody that’s easy to be around because he’s confident in who he is, and he does a great job of bringing people into that.”
Advertisement
Numerous teammates, including two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, note with sincere respect that the No. 2 pick in April’s NFL Draft is the gold medalist for arriving first at the facility before workouts and practices.
“He comes in and works,” Allen said last month. “I pride myself on being one of the first guys here, and he always beats me.”
GO DEEPER
Jonathan Allen: The vibe surrounding Commanders 'has truly been reinvigorating'
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner hasn’t coasted on immense talent alone since arriving for the first set of team sessions following the draft. Every teammate receives a question about what they’ve seen from the 23-year-old and likely Week 1 starter at the sport’s most important position. They answer with glee.
“He came in really prepared,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said after Tuesday’s minicamp practice. “I feel like when he was getting (starting) reps, or whether he’s working with the twos, he does a good job of getting the most out of the reps that he needs to accomplish.”
The Washington sports community has embraced Daniels. He threw out the first pitch at a Nationals game last week after appearing at Commanders Field for a U.S. men’s soccer game. Expect numerous burgundy and gold Daniels No. 5 jerseys when he’s back in the building for the Sept. 15 home opener against the New York Giants.
Everything is new and hopeful, and the early returns sparkle. Fans, having waited years for a quarterback savior, hope that time has arrived. However, according to one person who fortunately doesn’t think such things, the exciting trend hasn’t made Daniels a star.
“I mean, I ain’t a star quarterback yet. I got a long way to go,” Daniels said following Day 2 of minicamp on Wednesday. “I’m a rookie.”
That reality is something the coaching staff keeps at the forefront of their minds. Coach Dan Quinn revealed Washington installed its offense before the start of minicamp. Some might seize the moment by aggressively pushing to see all the bells and whistles. As is the case from the start, there’s no rushing the young quarterback.
Advertisement
“The expectation is just to see how familiar he is with the concepts,” Quinn said, “and making sure, ‘OK, this one we want to keep, this one we don’t in terms of things he has the most comfort with.’ In this case, just running the system now.”
Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota primarily took the initial reps during the open portions of organized team activities. After those three weeks, Daniels emerged as the first-team option. His passing anticipation on crossing patterns impressed McLaurin, Washington’s No. 1 target. The day after connecting with a diving Dyami Brown for Tuesday’s top highlight, Daniels found the fourth-year wideout along the right sideline for about a 20-yard gain.
The straight-line speed that caused havoc for college defenders is evident — even if there’s no need for the turbo gear in the padless practices — as is the natural ease when swerving around encroaching linemen and linebackers. Similar to how the coaches aren’t pushing the pace on Daniels, the rookie isn’t racing through these early steps.
“Man, everything,” was his answer when asked for specifics on his workaholic goals. “Playbook, timing up the drops with the concepts. I’m just expanding my football knowledge to go out there so I can finish off minicamp strong. Go back, put in the work.”
Jayden Daniels on his early morning routine. He’s arriving at… 5:45. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/sZQE1rRpPT
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 12, 2024
“Learning how to be a pro” is another part of his checklist. Pritchard said part of their conversations are about learning how to take command of the offense and “the best way to talk to the receivers or rope in those offensive linemen to be the best version of our offense.”
“I don’t think I’ve had a young quarterback that really has come in and within the first week be like, ‘Hey, can we get this rep?’ Or, ‘Can we get this rep after practice?'” McLaurin said. “It’s exciting for me because that opens the door. … There’s an open door of communication. He’s not afraid to get that work in.”
Advertisement
Those extra-early workouts aren’t for show. Daniels became a morning person after transferring to LSU and kept up the routine at rookie camp. Soon after, third-round wide receiver Luke McCaffrey joined the quarterback in the team’s practice bubble.
“He’s around the facility a lot,” said left guard Nick Allegretti, another player prone to seeing Daniels upon entering the building while still mentally waking up. “He’s talking and getting along with all the guys, but he’s not a super loud personality yet. He’s taking it in a way that I think a lot of rookies should. Feeling it out, feeling what his role is and then, when he’s on the field, stepping up in that leadership role.”
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Sign up
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Sign up
Buy
Washington concludes its minicamp on Thursday. Then, everyone goes their separate ways until the start of training camp in late July. Daniels returns to his native Southern California for a break before working with his quarterback coach in Huntington Beach. There’s talk of the quarterbacks and receivers getting together in the Los Angeles area. The goal is clear.
“Get ready for training camp and put myself in the best position out there to come out here and compete with the guys and have fun,” Daniels said.
Fun doesn’t mean unserious, but the rookie with a steady, positive demeanor enjoys himself immensely.
“It’s something I dreamt about since I was a kid. I want to be able to come out here and just have the blessing to go out there and play football at the highest level. You can’t take it for granted because it could be done at any moment,” Daniels said.
Minicamp headlines
• The play of the day goes to second-year safety Quan Martin for a preposterous two-handed, behind-the-back interception after anticipating a Mariota pass.
UNREAL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cEFHQMi3uP
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 12, 2024
• Linebacker Frankie Luvu and wide receiver Jamison Crowder were among a smattering of veterans not participating in Wednesday’s session, primarily due to rest. Luvu’s absence involved a minor ankle issue that would not sideline him on a game week, according to a team spokesperson.
• Third-round offensive tackle Brandon Coleman garnered more reps with the first unit compared to Tuesday’s practice when Cornelius Lucas handled most of the work. As with most positions, the coaches are shuffling the rotations daily. Lucas, a longtime swing tackle, also practiced at right tackle.
Advertisement
• Ex-Los Angeles Ram Lucas Havrisik, an unofficial roster player and one of the team’s two kickers, made six consecutive attempts during one period. On the final try from beyond 40 yards, many players not using their indoor voices playfully crowded around the ball to distract Havrisik. He drilled the kick with ease.
(Photo: Geoff Burke / USA Today)