Jayden Daniels is the franchise quarterback the Washington Commanders have been craving for decades. He's also the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after his latest sensational performance in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Commanders were up against it, especially in the second half. They were down two scores and individual errors were proving complicated to overcome. Things looked bleak, but this team always had a chance with Daniels leading the charge.
Daniels doesn't know the meaning of quitting. He's got an elite mindset and winning mentality that teammates young and old are firmly behind. He dragged the Commanders from the brink and came up with the goods when it mattered most.
It wasn't perfect. Daniels threw two interceptions — one of which was potentially crucial late in the fourth quarter. However, he wasn't shaken. If anything, it made him more determined when the former LSU standout got the chance to atone for his mistakes.
When the Commanders needed a touchdown to go ahead with seconds remaining, Daniels stepped up to the plate. He duly delivered thanks to his exceptional poise and precision, finding veteran wide receiver Jamison Crowder for the game-winning moment to send Northwest Stadium into delirium.
JAMISONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 22, 2024
📺 #PHIvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/k718liTMwK
Bo Nix is playing well. Brock Bowers looks like the generational talent most analysts predicted before the draft. But the race for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is over.
Commanders have a superstar on their hands with Jayden Daniels
Daniels has been the frontrunner since Week 3 and shows no signs of slowing down. He's ruthlessly relentless with the confidence and composure that defies his lack of professional experience. This is not your average rookie — it's a genuine superstar that doesn't come along every day.
The Commanders have a special player on their hands. This team would have rolled over and accepted their fate last season or in the years prior. Daniels isn't going to stand for that and other players are following suit.
Washington now has the postseason firmly in sight. They've reached double-digit wins with two games remaining. One more victory should confirm their spot, which might arrive during the Commanders' regular-season home finale next weekend against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football.
Regardless of how things go in the postseason, the Commanders can relax safe in the knowledge they made the right call at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Drake Maye and Nix look capable of having successful careers, but there are levels to this.
Daniels is head and shoulders above them all. Once his supporting cast improves, his game will go to heights not seen before.
That's for the future. For now, the Commanders are riding on a tidal wave of positivity for the first time in more than 20 years. Daniels is the primary reason why.