ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels enters his second NFL season with massive expectations.

Daniels totaled 31 touchdowns and 4,459 yards as a rookie—raising the Commanders’ floor and ceiling. Now, he is set to lead a franchise with Super Bowl expectations, largely thanks to his own doing.

How was Daniels preparing for the new season?

The 24-year-old said he spent time this offseason back home in California working with his quarterback coach. He mainly focused on his footwork, arm accuracy and pocket maneuvering during those sessions.

He said he will be focusing on many of those same aspects during training camp.

“Keeping my eyes downfield, putting myself in different situations where I might have to try to emulate breaking the tackle,” Daniels said Wednesday on the first day of Commanders training camp. “Keeping my eyes downfield but still getting my feet under me.”

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Head Coach Dan Quinn expressed excitement for Year Two of the Daniels era. He said the adversity Daniels faced as a rookie allowed him to grow some “real confidence,” and that will continue into this season.

“The more time [he spent] in the system, it just slowed down in a way,” Quinn said. “He could process things so much more quickly that it was harder to fool him on certain looks.”

Quinn called skill development an “endless marketing campaign” for Washington’s staff, but added that players like Daniels, who have self-awareness, are the ones who improve the most on their weak points.

During part of the practice 7News observed, his first throw was an over-the-shoulder touchdown to newcomer Deebo Samuel. The chemistry between Daniels and one of his top new targets looked strong.

But the quarterback’s other star receiver, Terry McLaurin, was notably absent from practice as he begins his training camp holdout. Daniels downplayed the situation, calling it “just business in the NFL.”

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“We know Terry’s working. We don’t really have to worry about him,” Daniels said. “Whenever that time comes and he’s back out on the field, I don’t think we’ll miss a beat.”

Nobody knows the impact a McLaurin-less receiver room could have on Daniels and the offense. But one thing is certain: if that does become a reality, the expectations for Daniels and this franchise won’t shrink ahead of their most anticipated season in a long while.