Jayden Daniels knows the risk.
C.J. Stroud, Ja’Marr Chase, Dak Prescott, and Robert Griffin III all won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors before Daniels claimed the award this past season.
All four — and many of their less-decorated draft classmates — took a step back in various production and efficiency metrics during their second pro season.
Advertisement
The sophomore slump in the NFL threatens perennially. It doesn’t discriminate. Opposing defensive coordinators have a season’s worth of tape and an offseason of analysis to study rookies and strategize with a depth that game-planning against first-year players doesn’t allow.
So as Daniels prepares for his second season at the Washington Commanders’ helm, he’s not shying away from that risk.
He’s embracing it. And aiming to thwart it.
“I’m sitting down and watching film and trying to eliminate some tendencies, as much as possible,” Daniels told Yahoo Sports this week over Zoom. “Talking to the coaching staff on areas that they feel like I need to improve on and having conversations so we call all hit at full speed.”
Advertisement
Expectations were high when the Commanders selected Daniels second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniels exceeded them.
Daniels completed 69% of pass attempts for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. He rushed for another 891 yards and six scores, lifting the Commanders to a 12-5 record a year after they triumphed in just four games.
Washington hadn’t posted a winning record in eight years, and the club hadn’t won a playoff game since the 2005 season.
Behind Daniels and first-year (with Washington) head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders bested the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions en route to the NFC championship.
Advertisement
Along the way, the Commanders emphasized … having fun?
“The whole energy thing and positive energy — that plays a part,” said Daniels, speaking in partnership with Celsius Energy Drink’s “Hydration” powder. “Obviously the magnitude of stuff is different now but, at the end of the day, you still gotta be able to tap into that inner kid.”
Daniels tapped into his inner kid in part because offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury tailored a system to his quarterback’s strengths, empowering Daniels to play freely.
“He wanted me to be as comfortable as possible,” Daniels said. “We had conversations like, ‘I didn’t like this’ or ‘I don’t like that.’
Advertisement
“He might have argued a little bit, but ultimately he wouldn’t call a play that I wasn’t comfortable with.”
Daniels remembers one week of game-planning during the season that included a play he didn’t prefer. He and Kingsbury disputed the play’s value in the game. They settled on trying it once.
“I gave him one shot, didn’t like it [so] he just took it out,” Daniels said. “You need people around you that’s gonna remove the egos at the door.
“Do whatever it takes to win.”
This offseason, the Commanders have directed that energy toward roster improvement. Washington traded for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil in March after trading for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore in November.
Advertisement
Offensive line additions came in free agency and the draft alike, with Washington spending its first-round pick on Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr.
And while Daniels already elevated receiver Terry McLaurin from a perennial 1,000-yard receiver to a 1,000-yard receiver hauling in 13 touchdowns a year after four, he’s now got a new target in house.
The Commanders’ flurry of March activity included a trade for longtime San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel.
Daniels’ expectation for Samuel?
“Obviously Deebo’s a very versatile player,” Daniels said. “He’s a playmaker once you get the ball in your hand. After the catch, he does what he does. So just being able to acquire a guy like that, I’m super excited to continue to work with him.
“And we’ll go from there.”
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Leeds considering move for Everton forward Beto
Leeds United are considering a surprise move for Everton striker Beto, as they look to try to strengthen their squad and cement their newly-secured Premier League status.Sky Sports News has been told Leeds have a potential transfer kitty worth more than £100m to spend across their new signings, such is the level of their ambition to remain in the top tier. Any deal for Beto would make a significant dent in that budget - he cost Everton more than £20m two years ago, and still has two years left on his contract.Beto is currently Everton's joint-leading scorer this season, with seven goals across his 27 appearances in the Premier League, and it isn't clear whether David Moyes would be prepared to let him go.Nevertheless, it will be a big summer transfer window for Everton on the eve of moving into […]
Leeds considering move for Everton forward Beto
Leeds United are considering a surprise move for Everton striker Beto, as they look to try to strengthen their squad and cement their newly-secured Premier League status.Sky Sports News has been told Leeds have a potential transfer kitty worth more than £100m to spend across their new signings, such is the level of their ambition to remain in the top tier. Any deal for Beto would make a significant dent in that budget - he cost Everton more than £20m two years ago, and still has two years left on his contract.Beto is currently Everton's joint-leading scorer this season, with seven goals across his 27 appearances in the Premier League, and it isn't clear whether David Moyes would be prepared to let him go.Nevertheless, it will be a big summer transfer window for Everton on the eve of moving into […]
2025 Truist Championship predictions, free picks: Tommy Fleetwood among longshots to back in Philadelphia
IMAGN Images Rory McIlroy takes the course in a traditional PGA Tour event at the 2025 Truist Championship, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Championship, for the first time since his emotional Masters victory this week. The Truist Championship 2025 is the final PGA Tour event before next week's PGA Championship, and McIlroy is a heavy favorite to win this week. McIlroy is the 4-1 favorite, according to the latest 2025 Truist Championship odds at DraftKings Sportsbook. Play begins on Thursday, May 8, at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in a signature event. McIlroy will be paired with Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood through the first two rounds, with the trio teeing off at 12:26 p.m. ET on Thursday. There are plenty of longshots in the 2025 Truist Championship field to consider with some of the world's best golfers skipping this week due […]
Pirates stadium employee suspended for ‘unacceptable’ incident after video showed him whipping fan with belt
Getty Images A gameday employee at PNC Park has been suspended following a physical altercation with a fan following Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and visiting San Diego Padres.A video posted on social media shows the employee and the fan having a verbal confrontation, then the employee punching the fan at least three times. A second altercation then broke after the fan allegedly spit on the employee, at which point the employee removed his belt and whipped the fan."We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred following the conclusion of (Sunday's) game between a PNC Park gameday employee and a guest," the Pirates said in a statement. "The employee's behavior was entirely unacceptable, and he was immediately suspended. This incident is currently under further investigation." The employee intervened on behalf of a female employee, who had a verbal […]
Wolfsburg x Hoffenheim: onde assistir ao jogo da Bundesliga
Wolfsburg x Hoffenheim abrem a penúltima rodada da Bundesliga nesta sexta-feira às 15h30. O Torcedores.com indicará por meio deste guia todas as informações e onde assistir Esta partida será vista pelo Onefootball e SporTV, que farão a cobertura da reta decisiva do Campeonato Alemão e todas as brigas que ainda existem, com o Bayern de Munique consagrado campeão. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Como estão os times Com 39 pontos, o Wolfsburg está em 12º lugar na Bundesliga e vive um final de temporada bastante decepcionante, com oito partidas sem vencer. O que resta aos Lobos agora é tentar terminar a competição de forma positiva e começar a pensar o que será no próximo ano para voltar a figurar na parte de cima da tabela. Treinado por interino Daniel Bauer, o time alviverde chega para a penúltima partida da temporada com as ausências […]
Wolfsburg x Hoffenheim: onde assistir ao jogo da Bundesliga
Wolfsburg x Hoffenheim abrem a penúltima rodada da Bundesliga nesta sexta-feira às 15h30. O Torcedores.com indicará por meio deste guia todas as informações e onde assistir Esta partida será vista pelo Onefootball e SporTV, que farão a cobertura da reta decisiva do Campeonato Alemão e todas as brigas que ainda existem, com o Bayern de Munique consagrado campeão. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Como estão os times Com 39 pontos, o Wolfsburg está em 12º lugar na Bundesliga e vive um final de temporada bastante decepcionante, com oito partidas sem vencer. O que resta aos Lobos agora é tentar terminar a competição de forma positiva e começar a pensar o que será no próximo ano para voltar a figurar na parte de cima da tabela. Treinado por interino Daniel Bauer, o time alviverde chega para a penúltima partida da temporada com as ausências […]
Related
Leeds considering move for Everton forward Beto
Leeds United are considering a surprise move for Everton striker Beto, as they look to try to strengthen their squad and cement their newly-secured Premier League status.Sky Sports News has been told Leeds have a potential transfer kitty worth more than £100m to spend across their new signings, such is the level of their ambition to remain in the top tier. Any deal for Beto would make a significant dent in that budget - he cost Everton more than £20m two years ago, and still has two years left on his contract.Beto is currently Everton's joint-leading scorer this season, with seven goals across his 27 appearances in the Premier League, and it isn't clear whether David Moyes would be prepared to let him go.Nevertheless, it will be a big summer transfer window for Everton on the eve of moving into […]
Leeds considering move for Everton forward Beto
Leeds United are considering a surprise move for Everton striker Beto, as they look to try to strengthen their squad and cement their newly-secured Premier League status.Sky Sports News has been told Leeds have a potential transfer kitty worth more than £100m to spend across their new signings, such is the level of their ambition to remain in the top tier. Any deal for Beto would make a significant dent in that budget - he cost Everton more than £20m two years ago, and still has two years left on his contract.Beto is currently Everton's joint-leading scorer this season, with seven goals across his 27 appearances in the Premier League, and it isn't clear whether David Moyes would be prepared to let him go.Nevertheless, it will be a big summer transfer window for Everton on the eve of moving into […]
2025 Truist Championship predictions, free picks: Tommy Fleetwood among longshots to back in Philadelphia
IMAGN Images Rory McIlroy takes the course in a traditional PGA Tour event at the 2025 Truist Championship, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Championship, for the first time since his emotional Masters victory this week. The Truist Championship 2025 is the final PGA Tour event before next week's PGA Championship, and McIlroy is a heavy favorite to win this week. McIlroy is the 4-1 favorite, according to the latest 2025 Truist Championship odds at DraftKings Sportsbook. Play begins on Thursday, May 8, at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in a signature event. McIlroy will be paired with Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood through the first two rounds, with the trio teeing off at 12:26 p.m. ET on Thursday. There are plenty of longshots in the 2025 Truist Championship field to consider with some of the world's best golfers skipping this week due […]
Pirates stadium employee suspended for ‘unacceptable’ incident after video showed him whipping fan with belt
Getty Images A gameday employee at PNC Park has been suspended following a physical altercation with a fan following Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and visiting San Diego Padres.A video posted on social media shows the employee and the fan having a verbal confrontation, then the employee punching the fan at least three times. A second altercation then broke after the fan allegedly spit on the employee, at which point the employee removed his belt and whipped the fan."We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred following the conclusion of (Sunday's) game between a PNC Park gameday employee and a guest," the Pirates said in a statement. "The employee's behavior was entirely unacceptable, and he was immediately suspended. This incident is currently under further investigation." The employee intervened on behalf of a female employee, who had a verbal […]
Wolfsburg x Hoffenheim: onde assistir ao jogo da Bundesliga
Wolfsburg x Hoffenheim abrem a penúltima rodada da Bundesliga nesta sexta-feira às 15h30. O Torcedores.com indicará por meio deste guia todas as informações e onde assistir Esta partida será vista pelo Onefootball e SporTV, que farão a cobertura da reta decisiva do Campeonato Alemão e todas as brigas que ainda existem, com o Bayern de Munique consagrado campeão. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Como estão os times Com 39 pontos, o Wolfsburg está em 12º lugar na Bundesliga e vive um final de temporada bastante decepcionante, com oito partidas sem vencer. O que resta aos Lobos agora é tentar terminar a competição de forma positiva e começar a pensar o que será no próximo ano para voltar a figurar na parte de cima da tabela. Treinado por interino Daniel Bauer, o time alviverde chega para a penúltima partida da temporada com as ausências […]
Wolfsburg x Hoffenheim: onde assistir ao jogo da Bundesliga
Wolfsburg x Hoffenheim abrem a penúltima rodada da Bundesliga nesta sexta-feira às 15h30. O Torcedores.com indicará por meio deste guia todas as informações e onde assistir Esta partida será vista pelo Onefootball e SporTV, que farão a cobertura da reta decisiva do Campeonato Alemão e todas as brigas que ainda existem, com o Bayern de Munique consagrado campeão. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Como estão os times Com 39 pontos, o Wolfsburg está em 12º lugar na Bundesliga e vive um final de temporada bastante decepcionante, com oito partidas sem vencer. O que resta aos Lobos agora é tentar terminar a competição de forma positiva e começar a pensar o que será no próximo ano para voltar a figurar na parte de cima da tabela. Treinado por interino Daniel Bauer, o time alviverde chega para a penúltima partida da temporada com as ausências […]
Be the first to leave a comment