The Washington Commanders hit the lottery, choosing quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in last year's 2024 NFL draft. The Commanders have made it clear that if they had held the No. 1 pick, it would have always been Daniels.
Daniels wasn't just the NFL's best rookie last season; he was also one of the NFL's better quarterbacks — as a rookie. Daniels broke several rookie and NFL records and was in the MVP conversation for much of the season. If his individual achievements weren't impressive enough, Daniels led the Commanders to a 12-5 record and their first appearance in the NFC championship in 33 years.
The most amazing part of Daniels' rookie season was that he did it while counting less than $7 million against the salary cap. Having a talented young quarterback on a rookie contract is the greatest gift in the NFL. It allows teams to load up at other positions, before you have to sign your quarterback to a mega-extension. Look at the San Francisco 49ers in recent years, while Brock Purdy was on a rookie deal. The 49ers purged several key players this offseason because it's time to pay Purdy.
The Commanders have Daniels under a rookie contract for three more seasons and also hold a fifth-year option. Obviously, if things continue trending in the current direction, Washington will make things right with Daniels and negotiate an extension when he's eligible after his third season.
Daniels is an absolute bargain. Bleacher Report recently named every team's most underpaid player, and Daniels was the easy pick for the Commanders.
Duh. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and one of the dozen or so most impactful players in the sport, is merely the 25th-highest-paid player at his position.
How big of a bargain? According to Over the Cap, Daniels will count around $8.6 million against the salary cap in 2025. He will count $10.3 million in 2026.
Daniels isn't just the Commanders' most underpaid player; he's the NFL's best bargain. He's not just a game manager under center; he's a difference maker who can manage the game. Washington is counting on Daniels to take another step forward in 2025 and has made moves this offseason to improve the team around him.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is NFL's best bargain
