ASHBURN, Va. — Back in the spring, well before Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels had been named the starter, veteran teammates such as tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Terry McLaurin had a feeling the rookie would excel in the NFL.
By the end of training camp, they were certain.
“I was telling everyone that would listen how good he would be,” Ertz said. “Just something got me really excited. I knew there would be some growing pains, but his ability to work and his humility to get better is what sets him apart.”
Now, the rest of the NFL is catching up.
Daniels has been a transformational player for the Commanders, helping the franchise rebound from a 4-13 campaign in 2023 to a 14-5 record (including the playoffs) and playing in its first NFC Championship Game since the 1991 season. And if they can beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, Fox), he will become…
