Jayden Daniels Era Has Espn Analysts Boldly Calling Commanders A Futur

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 17, 2025, 6:52 AM

jayden daniels era has espn analysts boldly calling commanders a futur

The Washington Commanders are quickly becoming one of the NFL’s most compelling storylines — not just because of their strong finish last season, but due to a bold new belief taking root in league... With quarterback Jayden Daniels entering his second season, insiders like Adam Schefter and Booger McFarland are voicing unprecedented optimism. During a recent segment on ESPN, McFarland emphasized the transformation that often occurs between a quarterback’s rookie and sophomore campaigns. .@AdamSchefter and @ESPNBooger talk about how Jayden Daniels and the Commanders are building toward a championship 📈 “We’re talking about Washington being a model NFL franchise. … This is the type of universe we’re now living in.” pic.twitter.com/f0Yr3qTgGv

“In the NFL and football in general, there’s an old saying that you make your biggest jump from year one to year two,” he said. That expected leap — in reading defenses, controlling tempo, and making quick decisions — is at the center of Washington’s rising confidence. Two weeks into his second NFL season, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is already dealing with questions about how long his style of play can hold up. Daniels, who captivated Washington as a rookie with his explosive dual-threat ability, has had a rocky start to 2025. The Commanders’ offense has struggled to find rhythm, and Daniels is already dealing with a knee injury that head coach Dan Quinn said could cause him to miss time. That setback has reignited a debate about whether his fearless approach is sustainable in the long run.

On ESPN, NFL analyst Mina Kimes addressed the concern head-on, warning that Daniels’ current style could shorten his effectiveness if adjustments aren’t made. “Through the first two weeks of the season, he leads all quarterbacks in QB contact,” Kimes said in a segment shared by ESPN on X. “He led all quarterbacks in QB contact last year. … It’s just not sustainable.” Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels established himself as a major threat in his rookie campaign. He did things no one expected him to do, and set records on his way to earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

On top of that, Daniels led the Commanders in their best season in over 30 years, followed by a postseason run that ended at the NFC Championship game. Now, in year two, many believe that Daniels will suffer a sophomore slump as so many players do, but even if he does, NFL A\analyst Sam Monson believes Daniels is the future best quarterback... "Jayden Daniels looks like a future MVP," Monson says. "If he picks up the way he left off, and that's no guarantee based off what we've seen from various other quarterbacks, but Jayden Daniels showed last year he's got everything you want. He's got the arm, he's got the defense reading ability, he's got the athleticism, and then he's got that 'it' factor, right? That clutch gene, the ability to drag a team that shouldn't be there into the NFC Championship game.

The ability to, "Oh look, we're down late against Joe Burrow and the Bengals," just drop a perfect touchdown pass to win a game." We may have seen that last season against the Chicago Bears when Daniels threw a gorgeous Hail Mary pass to the end zone that Noah Brown caught. "Like, he's got everything you want," Monson continues. "As long as he doesn't drop off hard in year two, and even if he does, maybe it's year 3, 4, he bounces back and becomes the best guy. Daniels looks like the most likely of those young quarterbacks to me now to be that future MVP and future best quarterback in the game." Jayden Daniels was taken second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders.

Adding a prospect of Daniels’ caliber instantly can turn some franchises around. However, fans outside of Washington D.C. have appeared somewhat slow to jump on the bandwagon. That said, one ESPN analyst isn’t waiting. Speaking on an episode of NFL Live via JPA Football with a hat tip to Earl Forcey on Twitter/X, analyst Louis Riddick offered high expectations. “Rarely does the ball ever hit the ground… he is going to take that town by storm.”

Riddick complimented Daniels’ accuracy based on reports and conversations he had with people who have watched Daniels throw live. Daniels’ ball placement, velocity, and leadership have made the analyst a believer. The 2024 NFL season should be a refreshing one for the Washington Commanders. A full rebuild is underway, and it'll be led by No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. While he hasn't officially been named the starter, the Heisman-winning LSU product will soon be handed the keys to the franchise.

With the Commanders having had years of mediocrity under center, his dual-threat abilities should transform the offense for the better. Still, there is plenty of room for the Commanders quarterback to grow as he can help dictate the future of the franchise. What could Daniels' first season in the league look like? ESPN analyst Ryan Clark took to SportsCenter to make a bold claim regarding Daniels. READ MORE: Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels 'Poised', Says Veteran RB “Jayden Daniels is going to have that C.J.

Stroud-type of year,” Clark said on the show. “He’s going to be that guy we’re talking about going into [the 2025 season] with a chance to launch himself into the upper-echelon of quarterbacks. I just left Commanders camp, and everyone is raving about the person he is, and we’ve already seen the player.” Last season, Jayden Daniels burst on the scene in a big way for the Washington Commanders after being drafted No. 2 overall. While many are ready to crown him the next big thing at the position, one analyst feels things are being handed to him a bit too soon.

When a team drafts a quarterback that high, they hope he can be a pillar for the franchise for years to come. Washington didn't have to wait long to see Daniels prove himself, as he put together one of the top rookie campaigns from a QB in league history. While navigating his first year in the pros, he nearly helped the Commanders reach the Super Bowl. They pulled off a pair of upsets in the postseason, but their run came to an end against the Philadelphia Eagles in the conference championship. Following his impressive showing last year, the hype around Daniels has gone through the roof. Many have dubbed him one of the league's best QBs already, and personnel within the league tend to agree.

In ESPN's latest poll of the NFL's top ten quarterbacks, Daniels came in at No. 5. Some of the players he finished just ahead of include Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts. Also read: Commanders Star Jayden Daniels Lands Notable Spot in Recent QB Rankings While appearing on First Take earlier this week, Peter Schrager gave his thoughts on Daniels being crowned a top-five QB after just one season. He feels such an honor is a bit premature, and he wants to see a little more from the Commanders' star before putting him in this conversation.

Pro Football and Sports Network covers all the major professional sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Tennis, WNBA, NASCAR, and more. The Washington Commanders are quickly becoming one of the NFL’s most compelling storylines — not just because of their strong finish last season, but due to a bold new belief taking root in league... With quarterback Jayden Daniels entering his second season, insiders like Adam Schefter and Booger McFarland are voicing unprecedented optimism. During a recent segment on ESPN, McFarland emphasized the transformation that often occurs between a quarterback’s rookie and sophomore campaigns. “In the NFL and football in general, there’s an old saying that you make your biggest jump from year one to year two,” he said. That expected leap — in reading defenses, controlling tempo, and making quick decisions — is at the center of Washington’s rising confidence.

Daniels ended his rookie year with a 71 total QBR, which already placed him in rare company among first-year quarterbacks. His poised demeanor and ability to stay calm under pressure caught the attention of both analysts. McFarland pointed out that Daniels played with such maturity last season, and now, “his ability to play so calm and so patient and so poised last year is going to be taken to another...

Jayden Daniels Era Has Espn Analysts Boldly Calling Commanders A Futur

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