Jayden Daniels exceeded all expectations in his rookie year.

Selected by the Washington Commanders second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, he soon sparked a struggling franchise into life.

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates raves about the ability of Jayden Daniels
Daniels started all 17 games in his first year, and Washington stormed to the NFC Championship Game, beaten only by the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

The rookie threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns en-route to the postseason, and had what was regarded by many reporters as one of the greatest debut seasons in league history.

Daniels was staring at another huge platform on Thursday Night Football against Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers.

Daniels needs a ‘Mahomes moment’

“There’s always a moment when the next generation storms the room and takes over. This can be it for Daniels on national TV,” said talkSPORT Senior US Writer Brian T. Smith.

“The only way you reach Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson is by making everyone notice you.”

Daniels’ secret is out after he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and will wear a special gold shield on his jersey to honor that effort in 2025.

The former LSU star has established himself as one of the top signal-callers in the NFL, and landed in the No. 21 spot on the top 100 players list for the season.

The Commanders have hopes of another post-season run, at the very least, and are ranked by talkSPORT as one of the top Super Bowl contenders after their Week 1 win against the New York Giants.

Daniels will be key to Washington’s success, and tight end Bates has already teased there is more to come.

Commander opens up on ‘special’ QB

“I think just the ability to go out there and operate at an even higher level,” Bates exclusively told talkSPORT, when asked what changes he has seen from Daniels between year one and two.

Second-year star Daniels has turned the Commanders into Super Bowl contendersCredit: Getty

Daniels and the Commanders secured a 21-6 win over the Giants in Week 1Credit: Getty
“The communication is on point. We know he’s not out there hesitating at all — I don’t think he was really last year — but there’s just a confidence in himself.

“After last year, all the hard work that he put into it, he’s building off of that.

“So it’s been really cool to see him come into year two, with a whole year underneath his belt of this offense, and just being able to go out there and operate.

“I think it’s just a lot less thinking now, and a lot more playing. So, it’s been really cool to see.

“He’s just a special player. His ability in the pocket to make plays. Really, he’s like a wide receiver playing quarterback.

“With his speed and his ability to make people miss, and make moves and plays outside the pocket, not only with his feet, but his arm, it’s super special.”

Daniels faces the Packers in the biggest game of his career so farCredit: Getty

Daniels set for biggest game of career

If the Commanders are to establish themselves among the Super Bowl favorites, they will have to knock off another challenger in Week 2.

Washington heads to Lambeau Field for a prime time Thursday night match-up that already has shades of an NFC title game showdown.

Of course, there is plenty of football to be played before we can even think about the postseason, but talkSPORT’s Smith believes Thursday will set the tone for the 2025 season.

“This is the biggest game of his career. Daniels still has doubters, and the Commanders were blown out of the playoffs by the Eagles,” Smith said.

“He can show he should’ve been the real No. 1 pick over Caleb Williams by beating Micah Parsons and the Packers.

“It’s time for the Commanders to unleash Daniels in prime time. Green Bay’s on a short week and Parsons isn’t 100 percent. If Washington is going to eclipse the Eagles, they have to start 2-0 and make an announcement now.”

Washington must unleash Daniels in prime time to prove his worthCredit: Getty
Smith went on to suggest that a win on Thursday night could put Daniels into the same bracket as the NFL’s leading MVP candidates.

He continued: “Washington is trying to recreate what Seattle had with Russell Wilson in his peak years.

“A young, super-talented QB surrounded by proven veterans. Kudos to Dan Quinn for building it the right way in D.C.

“Jayden’s in the second-tier right now, but he’s cracking the ceiling.”