ASHBURN, Va. — In simply 4 video games, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has set a number of NFL data and helped revive a long-struggling franchise. His No. 5 jersey has even change into a high vendor.
However he does not see himself as something aside from a man coming into his fifth recreation.
“I am nonetheless a rookie,” Daniels mentioned.
These 4 video games have helped Washington to a 3-1 begin — its finest since 2011 — coming into Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Cleveland Browns (1-3).
Washington has not began 4-1 since 2008.
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Daniels has already set the file for highest completion share after 4 video games of a season (82.1), and he has additionally change into the primary quarterback to finish 85% or extra of his passes in two consecutive video games. He ranks fourth in quarterback ranking at 73.3 and in yards per try at 8.5. He has thrown for 897 yards, 3 touchdowns and only one interception whereas speeding for an additional 215 yards and 4 scores.
He has change into a sizzling matter of dialog on a number of TV and radio reveals. Fanatics even introduced that Daniels’ jersey was its No. 1 vendor final week.
Daniels mentioned he is grateful to be on this place and impacting lives. However, whereas he is conscious of what persons are saying about him, he mentioned he is not letting it have an effect on him.
“As a result of I may very well be enjoying good after which enjoying dangerous and other people can be pondering the other,” Daniels mentioned. “It is staying level-headed.”
Within the spring, a reporter requested him about the advantages of being a “star” quarterback. Daniels shot that down, saying he hadn’t accomplished something but. When requested Wednesday whether or not he may not less than be known as a “star rookie,” Daniels made it clear he wasn’t considering labels.
“You may say no matter you need,” Daniels mentioned. “I am nonetheless a rookie in my eyes, so I let all people else do the speaking for me. I do not get caught up in that stuff. However man, it is only a blessing. Simply the preparation, clearly the workforce believing in me and we’re going on the market and competing each Sunday.”
Washington coach Dan Quinn mentioned he hasn’t anxious in regards to the additional consideration and early success altering Daniels’ method.
“All he has proven since he is been here’s a relentless method to getting higher and staying within the second,” Quinn mentioned. “He is acquired a outstanding level-headedness to him that is sensible past his age. If I had issues, I’d’ve already addressed it. He’s a very simple man to help and being on this journey with him and beginning with it collectively, it is a actually cool factor that I get to be part of with him.”
Daniels has constructed a robust relationship with teammates, usually playfully jawing with linebacker Bobby Wagner about their respective basketball prowess, amongst different subjects. However they see what he has accomplished and the way he has dealt with the early fame.
“He is very poised, very mature, and he is available in and works and that is the most important factor, particularly if you end up younger,” Wagner mentioned. “Simply are available, do the work, make performs. The factor that is been probably the most spectacular is with all of the success, with all of the nationwide consideration, he is been very humble and the work hasn’t modified, which is basically cool to see.”
