Rival turned analyst throws down gauntlet to Jayden Daniels with egregious claim

Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders achieved more than anyone expected in 2024. Ensuring this becomes something more sustainable represents the biggest upcoming challenge.

The Commanders believed Daniels had the franchise-caliber traits to be the answer to Washington's prayers. He carried himself like a savvy veteran from the moment he got into the building, displaying exceptional work ethic, dynamic on-field capabilities, and flawless poise in the highest-stakes situations imaginable.

Daniels won NFL Rookie of the Year by a landslide. He was among the league's most exciting players and spearheaded Washington to the NFC Championship game. That is a high bar for which to aim moving forward, but Adam Peters is making the moves that suggest he fancies another bold playoff push next time around.

The Commanders re-signed the large majority of their free agents. They pulled off trades for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and left tackle Laremy Tunsil. It's been a fast-tracked whirlwind back to the league's top table. Peters is eager for this storied franchise to stay there.

Keyshawn Johnson challenges Jayden Daniels to maintain high standards in 2025

That brings larger expectations and finer margins. Keyshawn Johnson, a former bitter rival with the Dallas Cowboys turned FOX Sports analyst, laid down the gauntlet to Daniels. He claimed that if he cannot achieve similar heights and get Washington into the final four, his season will be a failure.

"They're gonna be better. This is why they went out and got Laremy Tunsil. This is why they got Deebo Samuel. This is the reason they're signing the players they've signed because they are ahead of the curve. They are in front of where they thought they would be a thousand times over. So now, they get to Philly in the NFC Championship game, a few plays here or there and they're in the Super Bowl. And they know that. They said in the offseason 'These are the moves we need to make to get us better, to get us over the hump in our second year'. Anything less than an NFC Championship appearance for Jayden Daniels in year two is a complete failure. You don't go out and get a five-time Pro Bowl left tackle unless you think you're there."

Keyshawn Johnson

This is a little far-fetched. Getting so far in the playoffs was a miraculous accomplishment from the Commanders last season. But the hardest thing of all is staying in contention.

There will be a bigger bullseye on Daniels' back. Opposing teams will be better prepared and will be aiming to knock off one of the league's up-and-coming squads. The Commanders won't be an easy out by any stretch, but it'll be interesting to see how they cope with a different set of pressures.

Daniels is already working hard to ensure complacency doesn't become an issue. There is nobody more prepared. Nobody more willing to go the extra mile. His teammates fed off this attitude and aura throughout a campaign that will live long in the memory. Expect this trend to continue.

It'll be difficult, and it won't take long for criticism to arrive if Daniels cannot reach similar heights next season. But the Commanders are covering every base to give him a fighting chance of taking things up a notch.

And when the time comes to deliver, Daniels will produce.

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