Sean McVay is one of the NFL's best coaches and one of the most respected and innovative offensive minds in the league. The Rams' head coach has an excellent track record with quarterbacks and knows a special one when he sees one. McVay believes his former team, the Washington Commanders, has a special signal-caller in Jayden Daniels.
"The way he was playing the position, it sure looks sustainable," McVay said recently at the NFL owners meetings, per John Keim of ESPN. "He has that swagger, that confidence, that enjoyment with competing ... the smile, the ability to be totally immersed in the moment. That's one of the things I loved about watching him. I don't see that changing........He's going to be really scary for a long time."
Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, started all 17 regular-season and three playoff games for the Commanders last season. He led Washington to its best season in 33 years, going 12-5 in the regular season and making it to the NFC championship game. Daniels' phenomenal play earned him numerous awards, including NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
As for McVay, his ties to Washington run deep. Before becoming head coach of the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, he was Washington's offensive coordinator under Jay Gruden for three seasons (2014-16). Before that, McVay served as Mike Shanahan's tight ends coach for four seasons.
McVay isn't the only current head coach and former Washington assistant to praise Daniels. Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was on Washington's staff with McVay for three seasons. McDaniel recalled watching Daniels when he was at Arizona State and asking current Commanders GM Adam Peters about him. Peters worked in San Francisco's front office when McDaniel was an offensive assistant.
"He's just super promising," McDaniel said. "You guys can breathe a sigh of relief."
After a seemingly decades-long search for a true franchise quarterback, McDaniel is right: Washington fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Daniels is the guy for years to come.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Sean McVay believes Commanders got it right with Jayden Daniels
