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Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Reveals Mindset Going Into NFL Debut

Jayden Daniels will play in his first NFL game for the Washington Commanders this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jeremy Brener

Aug 25, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before playing a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Aug 25, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before playing a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images / Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has spent his whole life to get to where he is at.

Now, Daniels is just three days away until he competes in his first NFL game, but when asked about it, the rookie out of LSU was cool, calm and collected.

"It is really the same," Daniels said about his emotions. "Day by day, be where my feet are. Not really focused on Sunday. I got to get through Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and then it'll be game day."

READ MORE: Commanders Preparing for Tough Test Against Buccaneers in Week 1

Daniels recognizes the significance of the moment, but he also understands that he has a job to complete and that he is capable of belonging in the league.

"I mean, it's kind of just go out there and just playing football," Daniels said. "Obviously, I'm [going to] embrace the moment, take it in. I'm officially in my first NFL game, but once that ball kicked out, none of that matters. So, gotta focus on try to execute at a high level and go out there and try to help the team win."

Having a rookie in his first start can be intimidating. In fact, it has been 22 years since a rookie won his Week 1 start. But Daniels doesn't have a rookie mindset, and that already puts him ahead of schedule.

READ MORE: Washington Commanders Coach Dan Quinn Faces Key Week 1 Decisions on Injured Rookies

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

More Washington Commanders News

• Commanders Sign Promising OL to Extension

• Commanders QB Labeled 'Game Manager' Amongst NFL Backups

• Washington Commanders Week 1 Rankings Boosted by New QB Jayden Daniels

• NFL Analyst Gives Shocking 'Bold Prediction' For Commanders' Season

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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