University of Kwazulu-Natal

Jayden Daniels Development Takes A Leap Rookie Jaylin Lane Turns

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
jayden daniels development takes a leap rookie jaylin lane turns

Jayden Daniels heads into the 2025 season coming off an incredible rookie campaign. In his first season, Daniels led the Washington Commanders to the NFC championship game for the first time in decades, excelled in the clutch by throwing multiple game-winning touchdown passes, and set the rookie... He proved unfazed by the moment, whether it was throwing a Hail Mary to defeat the Chicago Bears or taking down the No. 1 seeded Detroit Lions in the postseason. Daniels proved he can succeed in the NFL, but also set a high bar for himself going forward. Daniels isn't just expected to replicate what he accomplished his rookie season, but to build off that near unprecedented success for a rookie.

That can be challenging, especially when a number of great rookies deal with a sophomore slump after their first NFL season. The positive for Daniels is he doesn't appear to get affected by outside pressure easily. On top of this, Daniels is working to combat facing a slump in his second year in the pros, including by eliminating some of his bad tendencies as a quarterback. “I’m sitting down and watching film and trying to eliminate some tendencies, as much as possible,” Daniels told Yahoo Sports's Jori Epstein. “Talking to the coaching staff on areas that they feel like I need to improve on and having conversations so we can all hit at full speed.” Fortunately for Daniels, he seems to be surrounded by a strong coaching staff on the Commanders that were key to helping him thrive as a rookie.

Ahead of his rookie season, the Commanders helped him become elite at reading and processing defenses by using virtual reality technology. Now, Washington can turn the focus to getting rid of his tendencies and addressing any other key areas he can improve, which should only make him harder to defend. Jayden Daniels' challenges during his rookie season were drastically different from what he will experience in 2025: work hard, prove to his teammates that he belongs in the NFL and learn a new offense. This year, his main task is to be better than his Offensive Rookie of the Year performance in 2024. It doesn't surprise any of his coaches or teammates that he has been working on that all summer. "I would just say I always focus on footwork and just my control within the pocket," Daniels said after the first practice of the Washington Commanders' training camp.

For all that Daniels did well in 2024, from throwing under pressure to using his legs for extra yards, one area where he could improve upon is his ability to work within the pocket. Daniels led the league in scrambles (87) when he had 2.5 or more seconds to throw, according to Pro Football Focus, and that normally worked out for him with 13 big-time throws compared to... Daniels' legs were a key part of the Commanders' offense, as his 891 rushing yards broke a rookie record and led the team. And while he will always be a threat in the run game, the Commanders, and Daniels himself, would prefer that he relied more on his arm. So, Daniels spent the summer fine tuning his pocket presence. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm in his rookie season, delivering one of the greatest debut campaigns of all time.

He led the Commanders to their first conference championship appearance in over 30 years and tied Russell Wilson’s 90.6 overall grade for the highest single-season mark by a rookie QB in the PFF era. The No. 2 overall pick shattered expectations and proved that his Heisman-winning performance during the 2023 season was no fluke. He turned what were considered weaknesses coming out of college into clear strengths at the NFL level and established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic young stars. The highs included a dominant Week 3 performance against Cincinnati, where he went 21-of-23 for 254 yards and two touchdowns without a single interception. He added two big-time throws and avoided any turnover-worthy plays, finishing with a season-best 95.9 PFF grade.

Let’s dive into Daniels’ rookie campaign and break down what went right—and what needs work—for the former No. 2 overall pick. Coming out of college, Daniels was known for his athleticism and ability to create explosive plays with his legs, and that skill set translated immediately to the NFL. He was one of only two quarterbacks to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 and led the league in missed tackles forced by a quarterback (52). Daniels also posted an NFL-best 669 scramble yards, more than 200 yards clear of the next closest signal-caller. Daniels is rewriting history in the NFL and has a strong support network behind him.

The 2024 NFL season has already delivered its share of record-breaking moments, but it’s poised to make even more history. Just one victory separates Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels from becoming the first rookie quarterback to play in the Super Bowl. In a league where experience is often the currency of success, Daniels has shattered the mould, leading Washington from the depths of mediocrity to the brink of glory. His journey is not just about numbers but a tale of resilience, boldness, and unwavering family support. Since being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels has been the engine driving a transformation in Washington.

What started as a season marred by last year’s disappointments has become a redemption story, with Daniels leading the Commanders to their first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1991. It’s a feat few teams have managed over the past decade. .@JayD__5 has been named the PFWA Rookie of the Year📰 https://t.co/Fs995xlGoe pic.twitter.com/d9gsv5KCzH Quarterback Jayden Daniels looked like a potential future superstar as he guided the Washington Commanders to this year's NFC Championship Game and ran away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the... Daniels nevertheless understands he must "prove" himself as an NFL QB1 each year. During a recent chat with Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, Daniels spoke about how reviewing game film from his debut pro campaign showed him what he needed to work on during his first offseason...

"My main focus was on how I can improve mechanically from Year 1 to Year 2," Daniels said. "…You kind of just see your tendencies and what you think some people will try to use against you going into the next season." Some viewed Daniels and not Caleb Williams as the top quarterback prospect in the 2024 draft before the Chicago Bears took Williams with the first pick of the player-selection process. Washington happily grabbed Daniels at No. 2, and he was better than advertised as he helped the club win 12 of 17 regular-season games. Per Pro Football Reference, Daniels finished his rookie season ranked fourth in the league among qualified quarterbacks with a 70.6 adjusted QBR.

According to StatMuse, he was seventh in the NFL with 4,459 combined passing and rushing yards, and he was ninth with 31 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. In the NFL, rookie quarterbacks often find themselves navigating a gauntlet of expectations, pressure, and scrutiny. The 2024 NFL season has ushered in a new class of young signal-callers, each carrying the weight of their franchise's hopes on their shoulders. But amidst the chaos and growing pains typically associated with first-year players, one name emerges as a beacon of poise and potential: Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. The narrative surrounding rookie quarterbacks has long been one of patience and development. Conventional wisdom suggests a steep learning curve punctuated by flashes of brilliance amid inevitable struggles.

Jayden Daniels, however, seems intent on rewriting this script. Through the first two weeks of the season, Daniels has displayed a level of composure and efficiency that belies his newcomer status. With a completion percentage hovering around 75% and zero interceptions to his name, he's playing with the kind of ball security that coaches dream of from their veterans, let alone their rookies. But it's not just about avoiding mistakes. Daniels actively pushes the envelope, using his legs to extend plays and create opportunities. His 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground showcase a dynamism that keeps defenses on their heels and opens up the entire Commanders offense.

Diving deeper into the numbers reveals how exceptional Daniels' start has been. According to Next Gen Stats, Daniels ranks in the top 10 among all quarterbacks in completion percentage above expectation (CPOE), suggesting that he's not just making the easy throws but consistently hitting on challenging... Jayden Daniels began his NFL career as the draft’s second pick, but that is not how his rookie season will be remembered. Because few quarterbacks in league history have had as many firsts as Washington’s 24-year-old wunderkind quarterback. Daniels rushed for 891 yards in the regular season, first all time among rookie quarterbacks. In his playoff debut, Washington got its first postseason win since 2005.

And in his second postseason game, he beat the NFC’s top seed to lead the Commanders to their first conference title game since 1991. His 46 postseason completions are first all time among rookie quarterbacks. With six more passing yards, Daniels will pass Russell Wilson to rank first among postseason passing yards by a rookie.

People Also Search

Jayden Daniels Heads Into The 2025 Season Coming Off An

Jayden Daniels heads into the 2025 season coming off an incredible rookie campaign. In his first season, Daniels led the Washington Commanders to the NFC championship game for the first time in decades, excelled in the clutch by throwing multiple game-winning touchdown passes, and set the rookie... He proved unfazed by the moment, whether it was throwing a Hail Mary to defeat the Chicago Bears or ...

That Can Be Challenging, Especially When A Number Of Great

That can be challenging, especially when a number of great rookies deal with a sophomore slump after their first NFL season. The positive for Daniels is he doesn't appear to get affected by outside pressure easily. On top of this, Daniels is working to combat facing a slump in his second year in the pros, including by eliminating some of his bad tendencies as a quarterback. “I’m sitting down and w...

Ahead Of His Rookie Season, The Commanders Helped Him Become

Ahead of his rookie season, the Commanders helped him become elite at reading and processing defenses by using virtual reality technology. Now, Washington can turn the focus to getting rid of his tendencies and addressing any other key areas he can improve, which should only make him harder to defend. Jayden Daniels' challenges during his rookie season were drastically different from what he will ...

For All That Daniels Did Well In 2024, From Throwing

For all that Daniels did well in 2024, from throwing under pressure to using his legs for extra yards, one area where he could improve upon is his ability to work within the pocket. Daniels led the league in scrambles (87) when he had 2.5 or more seconds to throw, according to Pro Football Focus, and that normally worked out for him with 13 big-time throws compared to... Daniels' legs were a key p...

He Led The Commanders To Their First Conference Championship Appearance

He led the Commanders to their first conference championship appearance in over 30 years and tied Russell Wilson’s 90.6 overall grade for the highest single-season mark by a rookie QB in the PFF era. The No. 2 overall pick shattered expectations and proved that his Heisman-winning performance during the 2023 season was no fluke. He turned what were considered weaknesses coming out of college into ...