Jayden Daniels and Ja’Marr Chase, both former LSU stars, shared a moment on the field before the Washington Commanders faced the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. The interaction, capturing Daniels’ evolving physique, has stirred conversations around Jayden Daniels <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL physical development as he prepares for his second NFL season.
Daniels and Chase have each made significant strides in their pro careers. Daniels earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors while leading Washington to an <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC Championship appearance. Chase dominated the receiving charts last season, securing the NFL triple crown with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards, and 17 touchdowns.
Though their time at LSU didn’t overlap—Chase played a key role in the 2019 national championship team, while Daniels won the Heisman Trophy in 2023—both are now prominent figures in the NFL, aiming to build on their success. The game between their teams kicked off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, highlighting this intriguing matchup.
Daniels Focuses on Strength and Durability in Preparation for Sophomore NFL Season
As Daniels approaches his second year in the league, his main priority is enhancing his durability to endure the physical demands of being a dual-threat quarterback. Standing 6-foot-4, Daniels has worked over the offseason to add muscle and weight to better absorb hits from elite defenders.
“They’re on my team, but you’ve got Von Miller, Daron Payne, guys like Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner running after you,”
Daniels shared during a SportsCenter interview.
“So I got to be able to withstand some of those blows when it comes to taking a hit.”
Fans have noticed the visible changes in Daniels’ build, but the quarterback attributes his increased strength more to natural maturation than dramatic physical transformation.
He explained,
“I just know I got stronger naturally over time,”
and added,
“That’s what everybody’s telling me, you can see the pictures, kind of crazy. That just comes with natural maturity. I’m just a tall, lanky kid. I put on a couple of pounds, put on some muscle and now everyone’s trying to blow it up like I went from 185 to 250.”
Significance of Physical Growth for Daniels’ Upcoming NFL Campaign
Entering his sophomore campaign, Daniels’ physical development is attracting close attention as he aims to improve his on-field effectiveness. Strengthening his body is a vital step toward surviving and thriving in the physically demanding NFL environment, especially given the caliber of defenders he faces each play.
This offseason progress not only helps Daniels endure blows but could also enhance his overall playmaking ability, making him a greater threat to opposing defenses in 2025. Observers will be watching closely to see how this enhancement influences his performance as he seeks to lead the Commanders further this season.