In Week 1, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels displayed precisely why the Commanders chosen him with the No. 2 total choose within the 2024 NFL Draft.
Washington fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 37-20, however Daniels was among the many few brilliant spots on offense.
The 23-year-old accomplished 17-of-24 passes for 184 yards, however his legs have been a real distinction maker, as he led the crew with 88 dashing yards and two touchdowns.
Whereas head coach Dan Quinn appreciated what he noticed from his rookie quarterback, he nonetheless believes he should proceed to enhance one space of his sport.
“Definitely not all of these are designed quarterback runs,” Quinn said. “We might like to see him stay a passer first, and I feel it’ll include extra expertise, actually.”
It is not stunning that Daniels leaned on his mobility in his regular-season debut after having comparable success the previous two years at LSU, the place he rushed for two,019 yards and 21 touchdowns.
In truth, his 88 dashing yards have been essentially the most by a rookie quarterback in a Week 1 debut in NFL historical past.
Nonetheless, that additionally resulted within the Commanders vast receivers having underwhelming afternoons, as they mixed for 55 whole yards. No. 1 vast receiver Terry McLaurin completed the day with simply two catches for 17 yards.
Quinn believes that should change if Washington hopes to get within the win column.
“I feel if you happen to’d requested him, there’ll most likely be a couple of throws that he would both like to tear or the place the development could have taken him,” Quinn added. “So, missed alternatives. These are the arduous ones. I feel the one to Terry to begin the second half and people ones.”
That a part of Daniels’ growth will include time and reps. So within the meantime, do not be stunned if he continues utilizing his legs greater than Quinn would love.
Daniels should defend himself when he does resolve to run with extra possibilities to take pointless hits.
“I feel you may see that trajectory proceed as we go,” Quinn completed. “Definitely, 18 carries is just not the mannequin that we’re searching for, definitely with Brian (Robinson) and Austin (Ekeler) and others right here. However on the finish of it, I do suppose we’ll proceed to develop in that spot. However definitely not by design to have that many.”
