Quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders, is already proving he was value such a excessive choice.
Daniels was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday after his efficiency Monday night time on the street in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals, a 38-33 Commanders victory. In solely his third sport as a professional, Daniels accomplished an unbelievable 21 of 23 passes for 2 touchdowns, 254 yards and no interceptions. He additionally added 39 yards and a landing on the bottom.
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JAYDEN DANIELS. TERRY MCLAURIN. THE COMMANDERS.
📺: #WASvsCIN on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/bP5qrpGN8q— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024
Add it to the resumé ‼️@JayD__5 nabs his first NFC Offensive Participant of the Week award pic.twitter.com/MSxumPV13q
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 25, 2024
Daniels was interviewed on the sector following his spectacular efficiency and pointed to everybody however himself.
“Give credit score to my O-line, give credit score to my receivers, my working backs,” he told ESPN. “And most significantly, give credit score to God.”
After being advised that his completion proportion (91.3) was the very best ever for an NFL rookie quarterback in a single sport, Daniels once more deflected the reward.
“That’s loopy. Give glory to God,” he mentioned. “I wouldn’t be on this place with out Him, so I can’t do nothing with out Him.”
The Commanders at the moment are 2-1 and seem like contenders within the NFC East; they’re tied on the prime of the division with the Philadelphia Eagles. Though Monday’s victory wasn’t Daniels’ first win as a professional, it noticed him throw his first-ever NFL passing touchdown, which went to offensive deal with Trent Scott.
Daniels’ stack of NFL achievements is already piling up. Regardless of shedding in Week 1 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 37-20, Daniels earned NFL Rookie of the Week honors after he threw for 184 yards on 17-of-24 passing and likewise ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
Commanders followers across the nation have cherished the offensive vitality that Daniels — the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner with LSU — has dropped at the offense. For a lot of, his talent and playing style are reminiscent of Washington’s last rookie quarterback to be named NFC Offensive Participant of the Week: Robert Griffin III in 2012. Griffin additionally gained a Heisman Trophy, with Baylor in 2011, and he was the No. 2 total choose as properly.
Griffin himself was as excited by Daniels as many others, evidenced by his post on X on Monday night time. He applauded Daniels’ soccer efficiency but additionally his boldness in sharing his religion. “He will get it. He trusts God,” Griffin wrote.
Jayden Daniels simply performed the sport of his life. Set an NFL file for the very best completion proportion in a sport EVER for a rookie. Had extra complete touchdowns than incompletions. And what does he do when requested about it? He provides All THE GLORY TO GOD. He will get it. He TRUSTS GOD. pic.twitter.com/UQuz1qDxjs
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 24, 2024
Daniels has a historical past of thanking his Father in Heaven, even underneath the brightest lights within the sport. He started his acceptance speech for the Heisman Trophy by doing so.
“I need to first give because of God. … He’s my Rock, my Savior,” Daniels said. “He blessed me with the abilities and talent to get right here.”
Daniels, who transferred from Arizona State to LSU forward of the 2022 faculty soccer season, credited LSU Director of Participant Retention Sherman Wilson with serving to him in his transition to the college. A part of Daniels’ transition course of concerned investing additional in his relationship with God and surrendering all management to Him.
“Being round [Wilson], I sort of acquired again into my religion extra, all the time giving glory to God. [Jesus] died on the cross for us; something is feasible with Him,” the 23-year-old from San Bernardino, California, mentioned final November, in line with the LSU athletics website. “Coming again out right here, attempting to determine my life, I wished to cease attempting to place a lot strain on me and simply give every thing to God, letting Him deal with it.
“… As I mature, develop up extra and dive deeper into my religion, I simply know that it’s God’s plan with every thing. As a lot as I need to rush stuff, I can’t. What’s there for me and what’s meant for me, God’s all the time going to offer that.”
One other street take a look at looms for Daniels and his Washington teammates, as they journey to Arizona to face the Cardinals (1-2) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET. But as he continues to garner consideration and accolades for his play on the sector, Daniels will search to proceed to direct all of the reward upward, to the One he is aware of actually deserves all of the reward and honor.
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