TAMPA, Fla. — Jayden Daniels made a strong first impression during his NFL debut, stating, “We (have) something special here.” Despite the Washington Commanders’ 37-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Daniels showcased his potential as an electrifying playmaker.
“I grade myself hard,” he reflected after the game. “We didn’t win. I’m a competitor. I like to win, but overall, it went well, pretty well.”
His speed and scrambling ability were evident as he rushed for 88 yards, ranking fifth among quarterbacks making their first career starts in the Super Bowl era. He also scored two 1-yard touchdowns in the second half.
“I thought he got to fully express all the things that he has, using his legs, you know, being aggressive down the field,” said Washington coach Dan Quinn. “Like him, like a number of players tonight, there’s going to be a lot of takeaways and things that we’re going to like, things we want to improve on. But what I can tell you is we got one hell of a competitor in him. We’re just getting started with him and the guys.”
The second overall pick in the NFL Draft from LSU has already made an impression on his teammates, not just for his athleticism.
“His ability to stay calm amidst adversity was very strong,” remarked guard Sam Cosmi. “I didn’t feel anything wavering or any panic or anything like that. There was a moment at the very end, we were in a huddle during a timeout and we kind of just looked at each other, like ‘Hey man, we (have) something special here.’
The Buccaneers recognized his potential before the game.
“You go put on his scramble reel from LSU, and it’s kind of sickening,” co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers stated. “He’s (not) just getting 5, he’s getting 55. He is a problem when he decides to take off. He can make all the throws. You kind of see why he got drafted where he did. He’s going to be a tremendous young player.”
At 23, Daniels was a standout runner at LSU, amassing 1,134 rushing yards last year with an impressive 8.4 yards per carry in the SEC. He quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s top rushing quarterbacks. Bucs linebacker Lavonte David, in his 12th NFL season, acknowledged Daniels as “probably” the fastest quarterback he has faced.
While his elite scrambling skills have translated well to the professional level, mastering an NFL offense presents a different challenge. Although he did not commit any turnovers, there were missed opportunities. Washington struggled offensively, converting only 2 of 8 third downs. He completed just seven passes for 55 yards, with top receiver Terry McLaurin contributing only 17 yards.
On the first play of the second half, with Washington trailing 16-7, Daniels attempted a deep throw down the left sideline. McLaurin had a step on Bucs corner Jamel Dean, but Daniels overthrew him. “One I wish I could have back,” he admitted.
“I think that’s a question for the coaches,” he joked about his usage. “They’ve got to determine that, but no, I got down, I got what I could get. You know, that one hit and the one on the goal line, that was nothing. I’m not going to go down for that. I got to score.”
Making an NFL debut on the road against a three-time defending division champion can be overwhelming for any rookie. However, Quinn noted that Daniels displayed a level of comfort and composure that suggests a promising future.
“In the game, he was exactly the same as back in Ashburn: confident, strong, clear-eyed about how to go attack, going down to the end,” Quinn said. “He was just thinking and processing quickly. I would say we’ll have a better assessment on that (Monday), but man, it was right in his wheelhouse.”
Quinn emphasized that even with just one NFL game under his belt, Daniels has gained the respect of his teammates, a vital step for any franchise leader, regardless of his dynamic skills on the field.
“They have such belief in him,” Quinn stated. “They believe in him because of the work he’s put in. It’s one thing when somebody comes in, but you still have to prove it. Over time, these players have come to love this guy and what he represents as a competitor, as a teammate, and through his hard work. So that’s why, man, he’s going to go big.”
Greg Auman is FOX Sports’ NFC South reporter, covering the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, and Saints. He is in his 10th season covering the Bucs and the NFL full-time, having spent time at the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.
