Commanders' Jayden Daniels Shows Promise Despite Loss

Despite Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers, Commanders’ rookie QB Jayden Daniels shows promise.

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders fell short of their goal to go 1-0 in Week 1 of the NFL season and fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Next week, the same Commanders will host the New York Giants who also fell in Week 1 and will be looking to avoid an 0-2 start.

As much as Washington will be the same team next week as it was in this one, it’ll also be different thanks to the experience gained by the whole squad but especially rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Despite the loss, some of his veteran teammates are actually drawing even more confidence in the young quarterback given how he performed in a very tough debut matchup.

READ MORE: Todd Bowles Shares How Bucs Slowed Down Terry McLaurin

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

“He's going to put a lot of pressure on himself to be better,” tight end Zach Ertz said to Donna Hopkins of Pro Football Plus about Daniels after the game. “Just like I'm going to put a lot of pressure on myself to get better, but I think going against a (Buccaneers head coach) Todd Bowles defense in your first start is probably the hardest matchup you can have in this league. Obviously, I've played against Todd multiple times in my career, and what he does is some of the toughest things you'll see as a veteran player, and for him to be able to execute as he did - obviously, we didn't finish in the red zone with touchdowns like we needed to, which came back to bite us in the end - but I know this whole team is excited to play with Jayden, and I think he's going to be really good for a really long time.”

Offensive lineman Sam Cosmi also came out of the game encouraged by the poise and confidence his quarterback showed. Even when the game was well in hand for Tampa Bay Cosmi says it was Daniels keeping spirits and effort high, looking to take advantage of every rep they got in the game. 

That attitude and approach is encouraging to NFL teammates, and should be the same for Commanders fans who are reeling following what many consider to be a highly discouraging loss to start the year, and are worried they’ve been sold another lemon this offseason.

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READ MORE: Jayden Daniels Breaks Down Bucs' Defense From Season Opener

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