Jayden Daniels Gets Eye-Opening Assessment From Dan Quinn

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn already made a decision on who will start at quarterback between veteran Marcus Mariota and rookie Jayden Daniels.

That is, at least for the team's first preseason game.

Quinn picked Daniels, the second overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, as they take on the New York Jets this Saturday. Quinn said the highly touted newcomer "earned it." He doubled down on it with a rosy review of the young signal-caller.

“I had high expectations for him coming in," Quinn told reporters on Monday, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk . "But I would say he’s definitely surpassed even my expectations of the readiness, the command.

“I knew he was going to be cool knowing the system. He’s just got that way about him. But you do see the other players gravitate toward him. They recognize how hard he’s worked at it.”

The 23-year-old Daniels had a stellar career at LSU, winning the Heisman Trophy last year. Many have tagged him as the Commanders' savior, with the team looking to return to the playoffs after a three-year dry spell.

Quinn and Daniels are both in their first season with the Commanders, and they would definitely want to embody the fresh start that the squad badly needs.

Aside from praising Daniels, Quinn also mentioned how important it is for the promising rookie to have a seasoned teammate in Mariota, although he's also a newcomer to the Commanders.

"I couldn’t think of a better teammate than Marcus for Jayden," said Quinn. "The quarterback room has just been remarkable.”

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