Commanders' Jayden Daniels receives a 4-word reaction from his former coach Brian Kelly as QB leads NFC East
Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders have by far been the most surprising story of the 2024 NFL season. Not much was expected from the team after they brought in former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to replace veteran Ron Rivera after a dismal 2023 campaign where they finished 4-13.
The common consensus was that topping last year's win total would be seen as an impressive feat and anything above that would be considered a job well done.
However, the Commanders needed only six weeks to win as many games as they did in the entirety of the 2023 season and they are not only making a surprise run at the NFC East division title but could finish the regular season as the #1 team in the conference.
The key to their success has been Daniels' unbelievable rookie season. Many believed the reigning Heisman Trophy winner would need a season or two to adjust to the NFL, but he's taken to the league like a duck to water.
His college head coach, LSU's Brian Kelly, is thoroughly impressed with the quarterback's performances and had a pretty straightforward response to Pat McAfee's question about the 23-year-old's debut campaign. He said:
"He's good at football"
Jayden Daniels for MVP? QB could create history
Through Week 9, Jayden Daniels has 1,945 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, 459 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. His most impressive attributes have been his accuracy and low turnover rate.
Among quarterback's with at least 200 pass attempts, the rookie's 71.4% pass completion rate ranks second behind Detroit Lions' Jared Goff's 74.9%. He has thrown only two interceptions and hasn't fumbled the ball since Week 1.
Daniels is the runaway favorite to take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. However, if he continues to perform like he has so far, he could be in the running for the MVP award. He faces stiff competition from Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, but he's among those in contention.
The Commanders are 7-2 and their remaining schedule strength ranks 15th. If he can lead Washington to the NFC East division title and the #1 seed in the NFC, he could become the first rookie since the legendary Jim Brown in 1957 to win the MVP award as a rookie. Excitement is at a fever pitch in the nation's capital about its football team and for good reason.