That falls in line with what Commanders fans and players have come to expect from Daniels. He won his teammates over with his work ethic, rather than his talent, and it earned the respect of veterans like linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz.
“He really, really cares about this thing,” Ertz said. “He wants to be as good as he can possibly be. He’s working his butt off.”
All that work paid off, and the awards began to pile up for Daniels throughout his rookie season. He was named the NFL’s Pepsi Rookie of the Week a record-setting 11 times and broke several other team and league records on the way to helping the Commanders get their best season in decades. He also accounted for more than 5,000 yards in the regular season and playoffs, another rookie record, which helped him become the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
All the while, Daniels kept the same demeanor, and that also helped convince Peters he had made the right decision.
“Every step of the way, you could see the humility he had, the work ethic that he had, just the way he connected with his teammates out,” Peters said. “He earned everything he had. So, it was just kind of a step-by-step process, but you could feel it right away.”
Daniels and the Commanders still have plenty to prove in his second season. They’re facing a more difficult schedule with higher expectations from him and the franchise around the league. But based on how Daniels has conducted himself over the past year, he’ll be ready for the challenge.
“Just show up every day and be myself,” Daniels said last May. “Earn the respect of the guy by working hard. I consider myself a hard worker, and it shows. That’s how I’m going to win over and earn the respect of my teammates.”