Dan Quinn beams with pride over Jayden Daniels' electrifying Commanders impact

Jayden Daniels continues to take the league by storm. The Washington Commanders finally have a franchise quarterback they've been craving for years. Many thought it might be a flash in the pan, but the signal-caller is maintaining his meteoric rise to spearhead this organization's long-awaited renaissance in 2024.

The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft looks like a certainty to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Daniels' performances have been so accomplished, that many have placed him in the conversation for league MVP as well.

That might be a step too far for Daniels, although nothing could be dismissed entirely. However, that does not detract from the incredible first half of 2024 he's put together.

He's galvanized an entire fanbase and got everyone in the locker room believing they have a chance in every game with his presence under center. His NFL career is still in its infancy, but the LSU product is ticking every box so far.

Dan Quinn lauds Jayden Daniels' impact on Commanders so far

This was a sentiment echoed by Dan Quinn when giving an honest assessment of Daniels' progress. The head coach lauded his work ethic and ability to make the right decisions as a reason why things have gone better than even the brightest optimist envisaged.

"There's a lot. I would say the poise and the decision-making. For a quarterback to really have the regard for the football and the decision-making process to go so he's playing the position well, not just throwing it well. So, when do I hand it, when do I give it, how do I use the clock, getting down to slide. Those things I see him growing and getting stronger as it goes and so that to me is one of the things I’ve been most impressed about – is like playing the position and all that goes into that, you know, at the quarterback spot. The work ethic he's always captured that and I knew that and that doesn't get unnoticed by me."

- Dan Quinn via SI

These plaudits are well-deserved. Daniels is taking everything in his stride and hasn't gotten ahead of himself at any stage. He's got bigger expectations on his shoulders these days with the Commanders at 7-2, but the signal-caller has passed every challenge with flying colors to date.

The Heisman Trophy winner is completing 71.5 percent of his passes for 1,945 yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions. Daniels boasts one of the league's highest QBRs at 76.2. He's also amassed 459 rushing yards and four scores on the ground for good measure.

More important than any statistic is Daniels' ability to come through when the stakes are highest. His composure and flawless demeanor provide calm amid the chaos. Nothing phases the dual-threat force. This confidence envelopes the entire locker room positively. And the results speak for themselves.

Daniels has the world at his feet. He's landed in an outstanding situation within an environment capable of nurturing his supreme talent. If the same trend continues and the Commanders maximize his rookie contract by strengthening other position groups in the coming years, it might not be much longer before this sleeping giant is ready to contend.

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