It's been a whirlwind year for the Washington Commanders. Just six months after the franchise ended weeks of speculation by taking Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the quarterback has turned the league on its head.
Not only is Daniels playing well beyond his years, but the Commanders are one of the league's biggest surprises at 7-2. With a new ownership group, new head coach, new general manager, and new quarterback, nobody expected the success to happen as fast as it has. I guess that's the Magic (Johnson) touch. Forgive me that one.
But in all seriousness, from being an embarrassment under Dan Snyder for 20 years to becoming a premier destination that players want to get traded to in the span of 1.5 seasons. That is real progress. Let's not forget that the Commanders are also going into the 2025 recruitment period with seven draft picks and more than $100 million in salary-cap space.
That's for the future. For now, let's take a look at some superlatives from the first half of the season.
Commanders 2024 midseason superlatives after incredible start
Biggest Surprise
Outside of the team being 7-2, you mean? It's how quickly Jayden Daniels has adapted to the speed of the game in the NFL.
We’ve heard about him using virtual reality to prepare for games. It would not be a surprise if this is widely adopted across the NCAA after watching how successful it has been for the rookie quarterback.
Daniels is top five in completion percentage, passer rating, and QBR. He has the second-most rushing yards behind Lamar Jackson. Not only is he well on his way to earning NFL Rookie of the Year, the first-year phenom is currently in the running to win league MVP.
Comeback Story of the Year
This has to go to Kliff Kingsbury.
After going 28-37-1 as Arizona Cardinals head coach and butting heads with star quarterback Kyler Murray, Kingsbury was fired. After contemplating his future, and thinking he might not ever coach again, he decided to join USC as an offensive analyst, a far fall from being an NFL head coach.
Before joining the Commanders, he was passed over for roles with the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, and Las Vegas Raiders. Their loss has been Washington’s gain.
The Commanders have the third-highest-scoring offense in the league. Kingsbury, who is known as a quarterback whisperer having worked with Johnny Manziel, Pat Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, and Caleb Williams among many others, has put Daniels in the best position to succeed.