Jayden Daniels has yet to throw an interception this season. But instead of drawing widespread praise in the media, it's come with calls for the Washington Commanders quarterback to be more aggressive.
First, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner made this claim. Former pro turned ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky seconded that, believing Daniels might be playing too conservatively over Washington's first seven games.
Daniels can push the ball downfield. His accuracy is his biggest strength, and as the game slows down, he is becoming more comfortable with his progressions.
Jayden Daniels' lack of aggression speaks to Commanders' personnel issues
When opportunities arise for explosive plays, Daniels takes them. But he won't take them for the sake of it, and certainly not without second-team All-Pro wideout Terry McLaurin to depend on.
McLaurin is done for the year with a torn patellar tendon. Aside from Treylon Burks, nobody can stretch the field. So Daniels relying on short-to-intermediate gains plays to the Commanders' strengths.
Four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs, third-round rookie Antonio Williams, and tight end Chig Okonkwo are all performing well in this area of the field. Unless the Commanders plan to make a trade for a downfield, dynamic option before the deadline, this could be their preferred path forward.
Daniels isn't playing scared. He's playing with the hand he's been dealt.
And he's doing it well.
That didn't stop Orlovsky from weighing in.
Dan Orlovsky's advice for Jayden Daniels is easier said than done
In an interview with Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan, he acknowledged mitigating factors behind Daniels' reluctance to air it out. However, he also urged the signal-caller to be more egotistical and take more risks without being reckless.
"You can't be great at the quarterback position unless you are willing to put the ball in harm's way. I do think that's a thing for Jayden. There's a difference between putting it in harm's way and being reckless, obviously. But I'd much rather have a quarterback that is so egotistical that they will put the ball in harm's way rather than have a quarterback that is so cautious that we're the cleanest offense in the NFL."
It's a fine line, of course. If Daniels had Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase on the outside, his approach would look a lot different.
Sadly, that's not the case, and with Burks also dealing with a foot injury, Daniels will just have to move the chains methodically until further notice.
Daniels is mobile. He's precise, and he works well in or out of structure. That is needed with an under-strength passing attack and a subpar offensive line, and asking anything more in the offense's current predicament is pushing it.
If the Commanders can somehow beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9, that might put general manager Adam Peters in a more comfortable position to trade for someone like Brian Thomas Jr. or Josh Downs. Until then, Daniels will have to rely on what he has, which means picking his spots rather than throwing caution to the wind.
The method is working, to a point. But if the Rams' high-octane offense starts quickly, Daniels might be forced to meet fire with fire.
And then, we might see Daniels' aggressive side more prominently. Even if the personnel isn't there to accomplish it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google