It happens to most top quarterbacks after a dominant first season. A natural regression or "sophomore slump" hits, and they are left struggling on just how to handle the changes defenses have put on them.
That "sophomore slump" may be a big premature for the Washignton Commanders and franchice quarterback Jayden Daniels, though.
After a historic first season that saw Daniels and the Commanders reach the NFC Title game for the first time in 30 years, Washington is looking to achieve even more in Daniels' second season.
And head coaches around the league like Los Angeles Rams head man Sean McVay believe that is certainly possible.
"The way he was playing the position, it sure looks sustainable," McVay said to John Keim of ESPN. "He has that swagger, that confidence, that enjoyment with competing ... the smile, the ability to be totally immersed in the moment. That's one of the things I loved about watching him. I don't see that changing. ... He's going to be really scary for a long time."
There have been five other quareterbacks to take their team to the Conference Title game in their first year outside of Daniels. Of those five, three got back the very next year with two reaching the Super Bowl.
Only one quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger) ended up winning the game.
The odds are against Daniels to match what he did in his rookie season. C.J. Stroud, another former second-overall pick, struggled mightily in his sophomore season last year with the Houston Texans.
If the Commanders can find a way to keep Daniels upright, though, there's a good chance any slump can be avoided. And Washington can keep climbing to their Super Bowl goals.
