Jayden Daniels has passed every test and reached some significant milestones in 2024. It's been a campaign to remember for the rookie quarterback, but he's not done just yet.
Daniels is embarking on his first playoff game. The Washington Commanders are in the postseason thanks in no small part to his will, determination, and poise in the clutch. They'll need all that and more to get one over on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This is a high-pressure situation. Even the most experienced players get an extra rush of adrenaline and start to feel the heat. Daniels competed in plenty of big games in college. Nothing comes close to this.
It would be easy for Daniels to fold. Fortunately for the Commanders, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft has proven on countless occasions this season that he's made of sterner stuff.
Whatever the situation, Daniels' mentality remains the same. He's focused on the next task and nothing more. Calmness exudes from him and envelops his teammates. It's no coincidence that the Commanders always seem to come through at the business end of games with his presence under center.
Jayden Daniels' poise shines through with the playoff spotlight imminent
This weekend is no different. Daniels is treating it like any other week. He's not one for looking back — this is all about moving forward. That starts by relying on what got him this far and spearheading the Commanders into the divisional rounds.
"It's just going through my routine that I'll usually go through. I know it's cliche, but it's literally just another game. The focus level might be a little bit more, but you got to stay who you are throughout the week, who you've been for these 17-18 weeks and go out there and just play ball. And you can't really focus on anything that's in the past, you got to worry about the present, be where your feet are. But we got to do whatever we can to go win a football game."Jayden Daniels via Commanders.com
Daniels will have a bigger spotlight on him than almost anybody. He's the rookie sensation who's taken the league by storm. He's got the expectations of an entire franchise on his shoulders. He's the beacon of light after decades of misery. That's a lot for anybody to cope with.
Instead of wilting, Daniels has thrived with the responsibility of waking a sleeping giant. There is no moment too big and nothing seems to faze him. Considering how close this Wild Card game at the Buccaneers could be, the former LSU star could be tasked with closing things out when push comes to shove.
That's just the way Daniels likes it. If he can take the next step and guide the Commanders to a playoff success at the first time of asking, it'll cement his status among the NFL's elite once and for all.
Regardless of whether Washington wins or not, they have a superstar on their hands with Daniels. And if the Heisman Trophy winner has his way, this fairytale run will have a few more chapters yet.