Daniels: I'm ready to prove myself for sophomore season
Jayden Daniels is determined to not let his record-setting 2024 campaign be a one-off.
"As a competitor, you're always trying to find little ways to get better," the Washington Commanders quarterback said Friday on "Gruden Goes Long." "For me, last year was last year. That's great, but it's a whole new year now.
"I still got to go out there, I've got prove myself to my teammates, the organization, each and every day that I'm getting better. When it's time to prepare and when those games come, I've got to know that, 'Hey, how can I eliminate some tendencies?' That's the big thing."
The 2024 second overall pick led the Commanders to a 12-5 season one year after Washington finished 4-13. Daniels set records for the most rushing yards (891) and highest completion percentage (69%) by a rookie quarterback in league history while also throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns.
The rookie continued his success in the postseason, leading Washington to its first postseason victory in almost 20 years against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Commanders also toppled the No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions before bowing out to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.
Although Daniels earned Pro Bowl and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for his sterling debut campaign, he's most focused on continuing the team's success.
"I know everyone wants to make an impact on the game, but, you know, at the end of the day, we want to win," Daniels added. "I want to do whatever it takes to win."
The Commanders will draft 29th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after posting their best season since the team's Super Bowl win in 1991.