Commanders’ Jayden Daniels Displays Promise but Needs Improvement Areas

TAMPA — In his debut as quarterback for the Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and demonstrated a mix of skill and opportunity, albeit in a challenging opening game. Daniels showcased his ability to escape the Bucs’ blitzes, effectively using his legs to evade pressure while maintaining ball security throughout the match. However, he did have moments of inaccuracy, including an overthrow to receiver Terry McLaurin that could have resulted in a significant touchdown early in the second half.

Despite these hiccups, Daniels finished the game with 184 passing yards, bringing in just 46 yards by halftime, and added 88 rushing yards to his performance. He ran for two touchdowns, each from just one yard out, but overall, the Washington offense struggled to create substantial threats against Tampa Bay, leading to a disappointing 37-20 defeat.

Coach Dan Quinn reflected on Daniels’ debut by stating, “I thought he got to fully express all the things he has, using his legs, being aggressive down the field. There are going to be a lot of things we want to improve upon. But what I can tell you is we got one hell of a competitor in him. We’re just getting started with him and the guys.” With this sentiment, the focus seems to be on the room for growth rather than the immediate outcome.

Looking ahead, the Commanders (0-1) are set to host the New York Giants (0-1) in Week 2. This season is particularly significant as Washington’s roster includes only 21 players remaining from the previous coaching staff, with just 10 on the offensive side. Having the No. 2 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner, Daniels brings a fresh sense of hope to a franchise that has cycled through seven different starting quarterbacks in as many years, marking him as their 11th since the 2019 season.

The game began with a moment of tension as Daniels’ first pass almost resulted in disaster. His swing pass to running back Brian Robinson Jr. was thrown behind him, ruled a backward pass and fumbled, though Washington managed to recover. The team’s wide receivers collectively struggled, managing only seven catches for 55 yards.

Amidst these challenges, Daniels’ ability to run the ball provided bursts of energy for the Commanders’ offense. “I grade myself hard: We didn’t win. I’m a competitor,” Daniels remarked on his performance, acknowledging room for improvement despite feeling positive overall. He expressed his eagerness to move on, stating, “I’m past it tomorrow. We’re off to New York.”

Throughout the match, Daniels faced moments that tested his resilience, including his helmet coming off twice—once due to a hit by defensive back Antoine Winfield that drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. Another incident occurred near the goal line, where his helmet ended up dislodged just before he could score, resulting in a dead play.

However, Daniels appeared untroubled by how often he was running, downplaying concerns about protection. “Man, that’s a question for the coaches,” he said. “They’ve got to determine that. I got down, I got what I could get. On the goal-line, I wasn’t going to go down for that – I’ve got to score.”

His teammates left the game with impressionistic views of Daniels, recognizing his potential despite the defeat. Guard Sam Cosmi highlighted his calmness under pressure, stating, “His ability to stay calm amidst adversity was still very strong. I didn’t feel any panic.” Meanwhile, McLaurin praised Daniels’ poise in the pocket and his drive to compete. “The biggest thing that stood out is the way he communicates and has the upbeat mentality,” McLaurin noted, underscoring the mutual optimism in the locker room.

Reflecting on the future, McLaurin added, “You don’t want your quarterback looking over the shoulder. The only way he’s going to get better is these live reps. He puts the time and work in. I know he’ll make a better jump next week. I see him as a guy continuing to ascend.”