'He's Randall Cunningham!': Herm Edwards Praises Washington Commanders QB Target

Few people know Jayden Daniels better than his former head coach Herm Edwards, and he compared the potential Washington Commanders draft pick to one of the more dynamic quarterbacks to play in the NFL.

Dec 31, 2019; El Paso, Texas, USA; L-R Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards (second to left) and Jayden Daniels (5). / Leonel Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Few people know potential Washington Commanders draft pick Jayden Daniels better than former NFL and college head coach Herm Edwards.

Edwards recruited Daniels and coached the reigning Heisman Trophy winner for three seasons before he transferred to LSU in 2022. From their time together, Edwards gave insight to News7 D.C. Sports Director Scott Abraham on what the Commanders would be getting if they take Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Dec 31, 2019; El Paso, Texas, USA; L-R Herm Edwards (second to left) and Jayden Daniels (5). / Leonel Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

"He's very motivated," Edwards told Abraham. "He's constantly searching for knowledge. He played 56 college games [and] that's a lot of experience for a quarterback coming out of college. He understands the temperature in the room when he's supposed to lead. Jayden is good with the players. He will be good in the huddle. "

Edwards was the New York Jets' head coach from 2001-2005 and led them to three playoff appearances and held the same position for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2006-2008. He then went to the collegiate ranks and was the head coach at Arizona State from 2018-2022.

Edwards also compared Daniels to former MVP and All-Pro quarterback Randall Cunningham. Cunningham was a four-time Pro Bowler and played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1985-1995), Minnesota Vikings (1997-1999), Dallas Cowboys (2000) and Baltimore Ravens (2001). Across his 16-year career, he threw for 29,979 yards, 207 touchdowns and 134 interceptions and ran for4,928 yards and scored 35 times on the ground.

"He's more like Randall Cunningham and that's good," Edwards said. "Similar traits, same height, same attributes [and] very good throwing the long ball down the field."

If Daniels turns into Cunningham, he would be a Godsend for the Commanders. In his Heisman Trophy-winning season, he threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He was also electric on the ground, running for 1,134 yards and scoring 10 times on the ground.

Given his experience as an NFL coach and coaching Daniels, Edwards' words should mean something. If he thinks Daniels can become the caliber quarterback similar to Cunningham, then the Commanders would be remiss not to consider making him their quarterback of the future.