Commanders' Daniels: 'Not a problem' competing for QB1 job
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is unconcerned about head coach Dan Quinn refusing to announce a starting signal-caller to begin camp.
"I like competing, I'm a competitor," Daniels said Friday, according to JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports. "Regardless if I'm announced as the starter or not, I still have to compete. You can't be content with your job or (be) comfortable. So for me, it's not a problem at all."
He added: "It's up to DQ (Dan Quinn) and AP (general manager Adam Peters) for the decision, but for me, I can control how hard I practice and I compete."
Mariota and Daniels have been sharing first-team reps to begin camp, per John Keim of ESPN. Mariota has reportedly been the first passer to lead team drills, while Daniels has typically been the first quarterback in seven-on-seven and situational drills, such as red-zone and two-minute situations.
Washington signed Mariota to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. The former second overall pick spent last season as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia and was last a starter with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. Mariota was ultimately benched for Desmond Ridder in Atlanta after just 13 contests.
Daniels, the 2024 second overall pick, is impressing his head coach early in camp.
"We have an effective plan for him and Jayden is the type of guy who wants to go nail it," Quinn said, per Keim. "We'll stay true to this. We're not too far down the line of where we're headed and we're staying in the moment with him and that helps. He's doing outstanding."
The 2023 Heisman winner took college football by storm last season when he exploded for 4,946 total yards and 50 touchdowns at LSU. Daniels' stellar play helped lead the Tigers to the No. 1 yards-per-game-ranked offense in the FBS.
"He's a great leader of this offense," Commanders offensive lineman Andrew Wylie said in camp, per Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press. "He's truly a gunslinger. He can do it all, man. The sky's the limit for that kid."