NFL
Washington Commanders: Who Will Start Week 1 At Quarterback?
![Jayden Daniels on the Washington Commanders.](https://www.sportscasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Jayden-Daniels-Commanders.jpg)
The Washington Commanders have named their starting quarterback. Who will be under center for the Commanders in Week 1?
Washington Commanders Starting QB
Jayden Daniels has been named the starting quarterback pic.twitter.com/iGrHggN2nP
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 19, 2024
On Monday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn announced that Jayden Daniels will be the starting quarterback.
“We knew we would get here, but we were just excited to see how we would,” Quinn told reporters about making Daniels the starting QB (via NFL.com). “So, seeing him hit all the spots, this is a rare competitor.”
It was only a matter of time before Washington named Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the starter.
After the announcement, Daniels spoke to the media about the decision. Judging by his comments, the Heisman winner is ready to prove his worth to the Commanders.
“They didn’t want to go out there and [immediately say] hey, you’re a starter,” Daniels said. “I haven’t earned anything. What I did in college was great. Now it’s time for a new slate, clean slate. I have to prove it not only to myself, not only to the coaches, but to my teammates. If DQ is going to preach competition and you’ve got to earn everything, man, they can’t come in and just give me the job right away. So, I got to have to go earn it.”
Dan Quinn doesn't expect Jayden Daniels to be that "leader" right away.
Jayden gets it saying, "I'm a rookie. I got to come out here and prove it…there's guys in this league that are proven. For me, it's just knowing my role." pic.twitter.com/G9uYWpdghI
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) August 19, 2024
Jayden Daniels Has Shown Flashes Of Potential During Preseason
Jayden Daniels
2/3 for 45 yards & a rushing TD in his lone drive vs the Jets
Show his ability to push the ball down field with a 42 yard dime to Dyami Brown
Daniels looked calm & comfortable, he’s no sleeper now. 📈pic.twitter.com/K1AjcCA0wx
— Nick Guglielmo (@NextLvl_Fantasy) August 12, 2024
Daniels has shown the potential to be a franchise quarterback this preseason.
On the third play of his first preseason game against the Jets, Daniels threw a 42-yard strike to Dyami Brown on 3rd-and-6.
In two preseason games, Daniels completed 12-of-15 passes for 123 yards. Daniels scored a rushing touchdown in the Jets’ game.
With Daniels under center, this is the Commanders’ seventh consecutive season with a new starting quarterback in Week 1.
Marcus Mariota will serve as Daniels’ backup.
The Commanders open the season on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.