Commanders rookie Daniels confirmed as Week 1 starter
Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will start the team's season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Dan Quinn announced Monday.
"He's ready, and he's earned the right. ... He's really put in the work," Quinn said.
The Commanders selected Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft. He played in both of the team's preseason games so far, completing 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards while adding 16 rushing yards and a score on the ground.
Marcus Mariota, who Washington signed to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million this offseason, was unavailable for the team's second preseason contest due to a hamstring ailment.
Daniels has been working exclusively with the first team at practice over the last three weeks after splitting time with Mariota, per John Keim of ESPN.
The 23-year-old was lights out for LSU in his final year in college, totaling 4,946 yards with 50 touchdowns en route to securing the Heisman Trophy.
The Commanders have not ranked inside the top 20 in points per game since 2017.