Jayden Daniels is the quarterback of the future, according to the Washington Commanders. At the Detroit 2024 NFL Draft, Washington selected the LSU signal-caller one month prior.

When they enter the field in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he is probably going to be the starting quarterback. Still, a great deal of work needs to be done. Nevertheless, the rookie quarterback is making an impact on his colleagues already.

During summer practices, veteran linebacker and Commanders offseason addition Bobby Wagner shared his initial thoughts on the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner. Daniels was selected second overall in the Motor City last month because to his potential, according to Wagner (via: Ben Standig):

In 2023, the Commanders had a difficult NFL season. Their quarterback play in particular was lacking. Sam Howell, a former fifth-round selection, appeared in all 17 games for Washington in 2023, but he fell short in a few areas.

With 3,946 yards of passing completion, the UNC product tossed 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Howell was sacked a staggering 65 times, and his offensive line did not provide him with much assistance.

Making the most interceptions and sacks taken in the league, Washington decision-makers believed a new quarterback was required.

They ultimately decided to pick Daniels in the NFL Draft. After spending portions of three seasons as a member of the Arizona State University Sun Devils, Daniels started his collegiate career there in 2019. He participated in 29 games.

For the Sun Devils, he completed 6,025 yards of passing with 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He transferred to LSU for his last two years of college after the 2022 campaign.

Daniels improved his game at LSU. In 2022, he threw for slightly over 2,900 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just three interceptions to assist the Tigers to a 10-4 record. That year, the Tigers were awarded a spot in the Citrus Bowl.

And they did, defeating Purdue 63–7 while controlling the game. The Tigers defeated Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl in 2023 after winning ten games in a row and another bowl game. Daniels won the Heisman Trophy after an amazing year.

GIVEMESPORT Key Stat: In 2023, Sam Howell became only the second quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 20 interceptions and incur more than 60 sacks in a single season. Jon Kitna of the Detroit Lions in 2006 was the other.

The Daniels selection follows a significant overhaul of the entire organization. Josh Harris will take over as owner in his second season, and this summer, the team overhauled a significant portion of its front office. And that’s even before discussing the new players.

In addition to Wagner, the Commanders added veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who will provide a nice safety net for the rookie quarterback across the middle, and running back Austin Ekeler, who will be a great escape route for Daniels in the short-passing game. They also strengthened their inside line-up by adding center Tyler Biadasz and guard Nick Allegretti.

Additionally, they selected Christian McCaffrey’s brother Luke McCaffrey as a receiver in the third round and promising tight end Ben Sinnott in the second round.

Daniels is, in the Commanders’ opinion, their quarterback of the future. During his undergraduate career, he has demonstrated his ability to play at a high level, and in training camp, he is already making an impact on his teammates. On the field in the nation’s capital, it appears as though the future is bright.