Drafting a quarterback is just the start.
The Washington Commanders feel like they've got something special on their hands with Jayden Daniels.
Those in power were convinced of the quarterback's talent and inner drive during their comprehensive assessments en route to making him the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's done nothing to suggest this was the wrong call so far, making an outstanding impression throughout the offseason and displaying encouraging strides over the first two games of his professional career.
Daniels is only going to get better, but the hard work is not done. The league is littered with first-round quarterbacks who cannot meet lofty expectations and find their careers in tatters at a relatively early stage. Another example of this arrived this week when the Carolina Panthers benched Bryce Young.
The Panthers thought they were ready to drop in a quarterback and take off. They mortgaged their future with a daring trade up to No. 1 overall in 2023 for Young. It's been a complete catastrophe ever since.
Young got thrown into a toxic situation. His confidence was shattered beyond recognition. The Heisman Trophy winner was a shell of the player who took college football by storm at Alabama. Two woeful outings to begin the campaign were all it took for the Panthers to remove him from the firing line.
It might be a good thing for Young's long-term outlook. That's unlikely to be in Carolina with trust broken beyond repair. All the signal-caller can do is wait for his next opportunity and be prepared enough to grasp it.
Commanders must continue to build around Jayden Daniels long-term
This should serve as a cautionary tale for the Commanders with their own prized possession under center. Daniels can have all the talent in the world, but he won't get anywhere unless the environment around the player enables him to flourish.
The Commanders cannot stand still in this regard. Even when things seem fine, which they are right now, the likes of general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn should always be striving for improvement. Daniels' development and surrounding him with the correct supporting cast should be the biggest priority above all else.
Had this been under the previous owner, things would have been a lot different. That situation was beyond help. Fortunately for Daniels, this exciting new era matches his ambition. That doesn't guarantee success, but it's not a bad first foundation from which to build.
Things aren't perfect. The offensive tackle positions are concerning. Washington could use a couple more dependable pass-catchers unless those around step up their contributions as the season goes on. Every fledgling quarterback would benefit from a strong defense, which the Commanders don't possess consistently enough based on the unit's initial efforts.
What Daniels is benefitting from more than anything is a strong coaching staff. Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard were instrumental in the LSU product's seamless integration this summer. There were notable strides in a competitive setting from the first to second weeks. If the same continues, he can avoid the plight suffered by Young and countless others.
This is all about keeping the bigger picture in mind and avoiding complacency. The Panthers thought the job was done from the moment they drafted Young. They were wrong - just another grave error from an organization finding new ways to hit rock bottom each season.
Daniels can relax safe in the knowledge he's in the right place. There are no egos. There are no rotten apples out for themselves. Peters knows the Commanders will only go as far as the quarterback takes them. They're doing everything in their power to ensure his short and long-term goals are met.
Every Commanders fan should be thankful for that.
