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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 before becoming the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. Daniels led the Commanders to their best season in 33 years, leading the team in rushing yards and setting several rookie passing records.
A popular topic this offseason was whether Daniels would have a sophomore slump in 2025. After all, how could he top his magical rookie season?
Some already believe Daniels is a top-five NFL quarterback. Is that fair? Daniels is unique, and it goes far beyond his impressive physical skills. Yes, he has a strong and deadly accurate arm. He's fast and elusive. But what separates Daniels from other young quarterbacks with similar skills is his work ethic. Daniels is all about football—all the time. He has another unique skill, too, according to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
"I wish I could take credit for that, that's God-given," Kingsbury said when asked about Daniels' play recall ability. "We'll go out to walkthroughs, and I'll screw up a play and he'll nail it. So, he's a lot more cerebral on that stuff than I am. I think he just has one of those photographic memories. The first time we install it, first time we say it, he can tell you where everybody's going, what they're doing, their job, and so that's a God-given thing, not a coaching thing.”
You've heard similar things about some of the all-time greats. No, we aren't trying to compare Daniels to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but it's a skill that should help him avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Kingsbury also discussed Daniels taking more ownership of the offense in his second year.
“Yeah, I think just organically really controlling the entire process, mastering the system, he's done a great job, so he's seeing things pre-snap, getting us into different things that maybe he wouldn't have seen last year when it was moving a little bit faster for him," Kingsbury said.
"But you definitely see particularly the protections really taking pride in getting us slid the right way. And then a lot of the checks that we have in our offense, trying to get us into our best matchup, get us into our best pass play, best run play verses certain looks. He's been all over those this whole camp, so that's a big jump from just trying to execute the play call to really seeing it and getting us in the best situation most times.”
That's encouraging. Daniels has been without top receiver Terry McLaurin in minicamp and throughout training camp. McLaurin is involved in a contract dispute with the team and is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with an ankle injury. So, the Commanders need Daniels to assume even more responsibility in the offense in 2025. The good news is that Washington's offensive line should be much better.
As for that sophomore slump, don't bet on it.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Kliff Kingsbury praises Jayden Daniels 'God-given' abilities
Continue reading...
A popular topic this offseason was whether Daniels would have a sophomore slump in 2025. After all, how could he top his magical rookie season?
Some already believe Daniels is a top-five NFL quarterback. Is that fair? Daniels is unique, and it goes far beyond his impressive physical skills. Yes, he has a strong and deadly accurate arm. He's fast and elusive. But what separates Daniels from other young quarterbacks with similar skills is his work ethic. Daniels is all about football—all the time. He has another unique skill, too, according to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
"I wish I could take credit for that, that's God-given," Kingsbury said when asked about Daniels' play recall ability. "We'll go out to walkthroughs, and I'll screw up a play and he'll nail it. So, he's a lot more cerebral on that stuff than I am. I think he just has one of those photographic memories. The first time we install it, first time we say it, he can tell you where everybody's going, what they're doing, their job, and so that's a God-given thing, not a coaching thing.”
You've heard similar things about some of the all-time greats. No, we aren't trying to compare Daniels to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but it's a skill that should help him avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Kingsbury also discussed Daniels taking more ownership of the offense in his second year.
“Yeah, I think just organically really controlling the entire process, mastering the system, he's done a great job, so he's seeing things pre-snap, getting us into different things that maybe he wouldn't have seen last year when it was moving a little bit faster for him," Kingsbury said.
"But you definitely see particularly the protections really taking pride in getting us slid the right way. And then a lot of the checks that we have in our offense, trying to get us into our best matchup, get us into our best pass play, best run play verses certain looks. He's been all over those this whole camp, so that's a big jump from just trying to execute the play call to really seeing it and getting us in the best situation most times.”
That's encouraging. Daniels has been without top receiver Terry McLaurin in minicamp and throughout training camp. McLaurin is involved in a contract dispute with the team and is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with an ankle injury. So, the Commanders need Daniels to assume even more responsibility in the offense in 2025. The good news is that Washington's offensive line should be much better.
As for that sophomore slump, don't bet on it.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Kliff Kingsbury praises Jayden Daniels 'God-given' abilities
Continue reading...
