There are striking parallels between the careers of Jayden Daniels and Robert Griffin III, particularly in their early professional football journeys. Both athletes have achieved the prestigious Heisman Trophy and were selected as the second overall pick by Washington. Their transitions to the NFL have been remarkable, with each quarterback making significant impacts during their rookie seasons.
However, the Commanders are optimistic that Daniels’ career trajectory will be more favorable than that of Griffin III, whose professional growth was hindered by injuries. Following three seasons as Washington’s starting quarterback, Griffin III found himself leaving the organization, which the team hopes to avoid with Daniels.
Focusing on their rookie seasons, there are many promising aspects concerning Daniels’ performance as compared to Griffin III’s stellar debut. Griffin III not only won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2012 but was also named to the Pro Bowl, receiving substantial recognition for his dual-threat capabilities. His passing stats fell slightly behind fellow rookies Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson, yet he showcased a remarkable rushing game, amassing 815 yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
Daniels appears to be on a similar trajectory, with strong passing numbers complemented by impressive rushing statistics. Heading into Week 11 of the 2024 season, he has thrown for 2,147 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking him among the top quarterbacks in the league. His rushing game has been dynamic as well, placing him behind only MVP Lamar Jackson in rushing yards among quarterbacks with 464 yards and four rushing touchdowns.
The statistics paint a competitive picture, suggesting that Daniels might finish his rookie season with comparable, if not greater, rushing and passing yards than Griffin III did in his inaugural season.
Overall, Daniels’ standout performance thus far signifies a bright future for the young quarterback and the chance for the Commanders to have a long-term franchise player leading their offense. As he continues to develop, the hope is that he can build on the foundation laid by Griffin III but avoid the pitfalls that marred his predecessor’s career.
In summary, the early signs indicate that Jayden Daniels is well on his way to having a successful NFL career, providing Commanders fans with much to be excited about moving forward.