Jayden Daniels emerged as one of the NFL’s most promising quarterbacks after leading the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game during the 2024 season and earning the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Recognizing that early success is just the beginning, Daniels has focused intensely on refining his skills to solidify his status as a starting quarterback in the league.
During a recent interview with Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, Daniels discussed how reviewing game film from his rookie season motivated him to improve his mechanics and game awareness throughout his first NFL offseason.
Analyzing First-Year Performance to Shape Future Growth
Daniels revealed that analyzing game footage helped identify key areas to enhance as he prepared for his second year in the league.
“My main focus was on how I can improve mechanically from Year 1 to Year 2,”
he said.
“…You kind of just see your tendencies and what you think some people will try to use against you going into the next season.”
Despite initial comparisons to Caleb Williams, who was selected first overall by the Chicago Bears, Daniels was taken second in the 2024 NFL draft by Washington and quickly exceeded expectations. He contributed significantly to the Commanders’ 12-5 regular-season record, demonstrating clutch performance and versatility.
Statistical Highlights from an Impressive Rookie Campaign
According to Pro Football Reference, Daniels ended his rookie year ranked fourth among qualifying quarterbacks with a 70.6 adjusted quarterback rating (QBR). StatMuse reported that he accumulated 4,459 combined passing and rushing yards, placing him seventh in the league. Additionally, he ranked ninth in combined touchdowns with 31, showcasing his dual-threat capability as both a passer and a runner.
Fine-Tuning Footwork and Enhancing Throwing Mechanics
Daniels explained that improving his footwork remains a vital aspect of his development.
“I think that’s always going to be the biggest piece, is fine-tuning the footwork,”
he said.
“And obviously, another year in the system, I was more comfortable, so I could tie in different footwork with different concepts that I think [offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury] would call just working that all offseason. …Just another year of understanding my body and understanding how to get certain throws off of different drops or different movements and how to still get the right throw if I’m throwing clean, if I have to move right or move left, and stuff like that on the run.”
This focus on technical precision is critical for a quarterback navigating various defensive looks and adapting to pressure in real-time during games.
Recognition and Expectations Ahead of the 2025 Season
Industry recognition of Daniels’ potential remains high. A July survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts conducted by ESPN ranked Daniels as the fifth-best quarterback prospect heading into 2025. Correspondingly, DraftKings Sportsbook lists him as the fifth favorite with +750 odds to win the NFL Most Valuable Player Award next season.
Despite the growing attention and lofty expectations, Daniels stays focused on continuous improvement without letting outside noise distract from his preparation.
Focus on Accuracy, Arm Strength, and Ball Velocity
Reflecting on where he aims to improve, Daniels highlighted three main areas: accuracy, throwing distance, and ball speed.
“More accurate, can throw farther for sure,”
he noted.
“And then the velocity. So if I need to let one rip…so defenders aren’t able to pick the ball off because of how fast the ball is traveling. It all ties into that for sure.”
These adjustments are expected to make Daniels a more formidable and consistent threat, especially as defenses study his tendencies more closely each season.
Upcoming Opportunities to Demonstrate Growth
The Washington Commanders will open the 2025 NFL season at home against the New York Giants on September 7. DraftKings Sportsbook currently favors Washington by 6.5 points in this matchup, offering Daniels a prime stage to showcase the improvements he has made in his second year as a starting quarterback.
With his rapid ascent and dedication to refining his craft, Daniels appears poised to be a central figure for the Commanders and one of the league’s rising star quarterbacks.