Washington rookie reveals how Jayden Daniels is so calm in NFL playoffs
Jayden Daniels just accomplished a feat not seen in Washington since 1937. If the rookie quarterback leads the Commanders past the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Daniels will enter even rarer air and p…
Jayden Daniels just accomplished a feat not seen in Washington since 1937.
If the rookie quarterback leads the Commanders past the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Daniels will enter even rarer air and push Washington within one win of the Super Bowl.
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Jayden Daniels' rookie keeps getting better for WashingtonCredit: AP
Daniels' accuracy, precision and calmness in the pocket have captured a historic season that is expected to end with Offensive Rookie of the Year Honors.
"He does such a good job of simplifying the game," Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey exclusively told talkSPORT.
"A lot of people want to make it complex."
Daniels completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and a 100.1 rating during the regular season, then went 24-of-35 for 268 yards, two TDs and a 110.2 rating in a last-second road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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The former LSU star joined "Slinging" Sammy Baugh in 1937 as the only rookie QBs to throw at least two touchdowns in a road playoff victory.
Like Daniels, McCaffrey is a Commanders rookie playing for a team that has Washington buzzing and dreaming of the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
McCaffrey has spent the season building his on-field connection with Daniels and has been increasingly impressed with his first-year QB.
"He's cool, calm, and collected," said McCaffrey, who is the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian.
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"That is the ultimate way to phrase kind of who he is every day. Never going to be too emotional about everything, yet going to be competitive about everything, right?
"And so I think that's such a cool balance, especially at the quarterback position. And so it's cool to be able to see that and to be able to see just him grow from week in and week out.
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Commanders receiver Luke McCaffrey has an up-close look at DanielsCredit: talksport
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He's expected to win Offensive Rookie of the YearCredit: Getty
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Daniels already won the Heisman Trophy at LSU and went No. 2 in the draftCredit: Getty
"He's a competitor and he's going to find a way to make a play and he's going to find a way to win the game, no matter what happens."
McCaffrey played college ball at Nebraska and Rice.
He transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver, then became the No. 100 overall (third round) pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
McCaffrey had 18 catches for 168 yards this season, and he's still processing the emotion from a last-second "doink" field goal that propelled Washington to Detroit.
"That locker room was awesome," McCaffrey said.
"That's a moment that I'll remember forever just between him (Terry McLaurin), Jayden, DQ (Dan Quinn) running in and the camaraderie.
"The thing that was pointed out was just the selflessness of everybody. I think there wasn't a soul that wasn't ecstatic, that wasn't geeked up for that.
"And you never know how it goes because sometimes you win and you do well, but somebody has a bad game or something goes on like that.
"There's a lot of emotions in football together, right? And so just to see the whole team excited, amped and kind of for each other was special.
"You don't see that a lot, especially at the professional level."
The rookie receiver highlighted a Tom Brady story to provide insight into Daniels' success as a rookie QB.
When Brady was in the middle of the New England Patriots' dynasty, an offensive coordinator gave him a huge weekly "cheat sheet."
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The tip sheet was so all-encompassing that Brady requested a note card instead of a book, so he could process only the necessary information.
Less was more with Brady on his way to a record seven Super Bowl trophies.
Less has been more for Daniels in 2024, as the rookie QB inspires Washington to believe in the Commanders.
"He's (Brady) like, 'Give me whatever on a piece of paper or a note card,' " McCaffrey said.
"Whatever you can fit on there, I'll remember. Everything else is going to be out the window.
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"And that's just a testament to how quick you have to process things and how on top of it and simplistic you have to make complex things at the quarterback position. And that's something that I think he (Daniels) does really well.
"Taking whatever complexities are in the offense or reading a defense and being able to just simplify it to where he's always able to stay in the moment and in control, which is awesome."
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