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John KeimJul 31, 2025, 12:18 PM ET
- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN successful 2013 aft a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the squad successful 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and aboriginal for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored 4 books. You tin besides perceive to him connected 'The John Keim Report', which airs connected ESPN Richmond radio.
ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders backmost Jayden Daniels said helium has noticed a large quality successful his crippled from a twelvemonth agone -- backmost erstwhile helium was getting acceptable for a historical rookie season.
"Most decidedly nighttime and day," helium said.
That's due to the fact that Daniels said he's much utilized to coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's discourtesy and his teammates. A twelvemonth ago, helium was learning the strategy and adapting to the NFL and not worrying astir leadership. Now, helium said, he'll chastise teammates astatine times if they marque a mistake portion processing the discourtesy astatine a faster level.
Not that it constricted Daniels past play erstwhile helium was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year and finished seventh successful MVP voting. He threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions portion moving for 891 yards and different six scores.
"It's being much comfy successful the offense," Daniels said. "I recognize what Kliff is calling and what we privation to execute arsenic an offense. I person antithetic tools successful my instrumentality loop to get to antithetic protections, to get to antithetic runs versus definite looks."
Commanders manager Dan Quinn was asked earlier successful campy astir the large leap players tin marque successful their 2nd season. He said Daniels made that leap during his archetypal season.
"The much clip successful the system, it slowed down successful a way," Quinn said. "He could process things truthful overmuch much rapidly that it was harder to fool him connected definite looks oregon definite things that would travel up. There's immoderate existent assurance that comes with that."
Veteran moving backmost Austin Ekeler said that comfortableness level has resulted successful a amended leader. Last year, Quinn said they didn't privation Daniels worrying astir correcting teammates oregon being a leader. They wanted him to conscionable interest astir playing.
Ekeler said Daniels kicked 1 teammate retired of the huddle successful signifier Thursday aft helium committed a mendacious commencement penalty.
"He said, 'Get out, we can't beryllium doing that,'" Ekeler said. "That's enactment we wouldn't person seen past year. He's holding the standard, letting everyone cognize this is however we play. If you're not playing astatine this level, you can't beryllium connected the field. That's awesome to spot successful a quarterback."
Daniels said helium understands that's present portion of his job.
"I'm the 1 that has to uphold the standard," Daniels said. "If guys are false-starting, it's adjacent feline up. I clasp myself accountable. If I messiness up, I look to Zach [Ertz] and guys similar that to clasp maine accountable."
