Northwest Stadium is hosting the hottest show in the NFL, and it’s all due to one big-armed rookie, Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. Once hailed as Jamarcus Russel 2.0, Daniels has become everything Russel was not. He has rejuvenated the DC fan base and has everyone accepting the Washington Commanders as the team to beat in the NFC East, but for the remaining Redskins fans, this seems all too familiar. The ghost of Robert Griffin the III still looms in Landover. Are the Commanders headed to repeat the tragic outcome that set the franchise back a decade?
The similarities in their games are undeniable, and they incite worries amongst the freshly aroused Commanders fan base that the tragic franchise is setting itself up to repeat its recent history.
Commanders Quarterback Is Taking Too Many Hits
The Hits Keep Coming on Jayden Daniels
The numbers are astonishing through the first six games of their rookie season. RG3 took off 55 times and accumulated 379 yards and six rushing TDs; he averaged 6.8 yards per scramble. JD5 has rushed 63 times for 322 yards, 5.1 yards per scramble and four touchdowns. Daniels was sacked 15 times, while RG3 took 12 losses. In short, Daniels is taking more hits than Griffey while not as effective with his legs. This is highly disturbing.
For reference sake, the injury-plagued Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts has 46 rushes for 279 yards, four TDs and 11 sacks, while CJ Stoud, the prototype the Commanders are hoping Daniels becomes, has only scrambled 17 times while taking 16 sacks. Daniels is being hit too many times to stay healthy.
Commander in the Air
The Commander’s new Commander has been dominant in the air, completing 75 percent of his passes for 1404 yards and six TDs. RG3 can’t come close to Jayden in the air; even the great Peyton Manning wasn’t this effective in his first six games.
Comparing him to Strouds Offensive Rookie of the Year’s first six games, Daniels has himself a blueprint for being an NFL star. Stroud threw for 1660 and eight touchdowns. He did get to tee off against Jacksonville. Caleb Williams lit up this Jaguars team for four TDs last Sunday.
Daniels has won Pepsi Offensive Rookie of the Week five times in six weeks. Surprisingly, he beat out Williams in week six after Williams’s four-TD performance in London. Currently Daniels odds for ORoY is at -195 from DraftKings and MVP odds +1100. I still like the MVP, ORoY, commanders to win the East and a Super Bowl appearance parlay, if one is true they all are.
The Commanders Commander’s Legacy in the Making
While comparisons to RG3 are natural, Daniels has the opportunity to forge his legacy in Washington. If he can sustain and build upon his early success, he could become one of the franchise’s all-time greats, go the way of RG3, and leave us wondering what could have been.
As Daniels continues to navigate his rookie season, the echoes of RG3’s electrifying debut serve as both inspiration and caution. The young quarterback has shown immense promise, displaying a skill set that could redefine the position for the Commanders. However, the organization’s measured approach, learned from past experiences, provides a solid foundation for sustainable success.
The journey from rookie sensation to franchise cornerstone is long and challenging. Still, Daniels appears to have the tools, support system, and mindset to potentially achieve what his predecessor could not – long-term success in Washington. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on this young talent, watching to see if he can indeed become the transformative figure the Commanders have long sought at the quarterback position.
Main Image: Luke Johnson-Imagn Images
