Jayden Daniels already has an NFL head coach using him as an example of the most important trait a quarterback needs to have
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, the NFL world was fully aware of two key traits that belong to Jayden Daniels: One of the strongest work ethics there is and a calm, collected mindset that keeps him from shrinking in the biggest moments.Fast forward to now and those traits have led him toward one of the […]
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, the NFL world was fully aware of two key traits that belong to Jayden Daniels: One of the strongest work ethics there is and a calm, collected mindset that keeps him from shrinking in the biggest moments.
Fast forward to now and those traits have led him toward one of the best rookie seasons in league history, as well as an NFC Championship Game appearance. He's just one win away from becoming the first-ever rookie QB to start in the Super Bowl, which just goes to show how monumental Year 1 has been for the former LSU Tiger.
And while has everything played its own role in the moments leading up to now, it's Daniels' stoic nature that's allowed the Washington Commanders to not only win 12 games during the regular season, but win two road playoff games in tough environments.
"He's steady with his emotions," Commanders running back Austin Ekeler said on the latest episode of the God Bless Football podcast. "I saw a video of when the interception happened [against the Lions]. There's an interception from our defense, and me, I'm like, you know, I'm jumping up out of the seat. He [has] no facial expression, just grabs his helmet and stands up and goes, gets on the field. Like, steady, like, silent killer, [and] ready to go out there get the job done. [He's] just a straight baller. It's been awesome playing with him in the backfield, for sure."
There are so many talented quarterbacks that play -and have played- the game, but they never reach that elite tier because the moment is simply too big for them. Daniels is the complete opposite, however. He matches the moment and performs at a high level when the Commanders need him to make a play.
It's a trait that separates the good from the great and Daniels has made such an impact that he already has at least one NFL head coach using him as a prime example of what it means to step up and lead in moments that often cause others to fall.
"I think a really good example of what incredible, incredible poise and calmness looks like is just watch Jayden Daniels play," Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan recently told A to Z Sports in an exclusive interview. "The moment's never too big for him. Pressure never rattles him. He's just efficient in his movement. He's efficient in his delivery. That's kind of what I mean by that. . . his poise is incredible and that's what you have to have. And then you watch the great players in our league, and I mean you look at Mahomes, and Burrow, and Allen, and Lamar. I mean you watch these guys play ball, Stafford too. There's something about how they operate and like I said, their nervous system is a huge part of that. . .
". . . You have to be able to, when those moments come where you have to throw the football and everyone in the stadium knows you have to throw the football, can you do it? You know, can you make those throws in those big moments? And that's what separates I think all the quarterbacks in the league, the great ones from the guys that are just good."
It's been on full display for five months, now, and there is at least one more opportunity for Daniels to yet again captivate his peers and keep the Commanders' very real Super Bowl hopes alive.
And if he's able to pull off another upset, then I think it's more than safe to assume plenty of other head coaches will be using his name the same way. If they aren't doing it, already.
Dan Quinn is taking his time finding an answer to Commanders’ key problem against Eagles and it’s the right call
The Washington Commanders are the darlings of the NFL as the NFC Championship Game draws near, but getting here came at a rather large cost against the Detroit Lions. Veteran right guard Sam Cosmi suffered a devastating ACL injury in the second quarter and is out for the rest of the playoffs. Now, the Commanders […]
