A popular topic in a boring offseason for some was to predict that Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels would have a sophomore slump in 2025. Washington coaches and teammates disagree with that assessment because they see Daniels every day.
Teammates and coaches see Daniels arrive first at the facility. They see Daniels never placing himself above the team, always rooting his teammates on, from long snapper Tyler Ott to star wide receiver Terry McLaurin. They also see how hard he works, not just in the weight room and on the practice field, but in the meeting rooms, too. Daniels is always looking for ways to improve and gain an edge over that week’s opponent.
ESPN SportsCenter visited Washington’s training camp on Sunday, and Daniels joined the set where he discussed everything from staying grounded to his expectations for himself.
“I think it’s the humility part, being grounded and never letting your ego, especially in the quarterback room, we always say, ‘Check your egos at the door,’ and that’s the main thing they harp on,” Daniels said. “Because everybody has egos. Everybody is selfish in their own ways. As human beings, that’s just human nature. But for us, it’s like, ‘How can I just go out there and take that away from me?’ Push the ego out of the way, and how can I be able to grow and get better because I still got so much to learn. I’m striving to be a perfect player.”
How many other young quarterbacks talk like that? Daniels is different. After coming off a record-breaking rookie year in which he led Washington to its best season in 33 years, Daniels is looking for ways to get better. He’s looking for ways to get past the Eagles.
While no human being is perfect, on and off the field, there’s nothing wrong with striving to be perfect.
Good luck to those who predicted a sophomore slump.