Key Takeaways:
– 2024 No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels may soon be named starter for the Washington Commanders.
– Daniels’ main rival is Marcus Mariota, a quarterback who has struggled in his NFL career.
– Kliff Kingsbury, with his track record of developing college quarterbacks, is expected to play a vital role in the decision-making process.
– The Commanders are among five or six teams expected to face quarterback competitions this summer.
The Washington Commanders are faced with a significant decision. They have two promising football athletes—Jayden Daniels, the fresh No. 2 overall pick of 2024, and seasoned veteran Marcus Mariota—to consider for the role of the starting quarterback.
Daniels’ Impressive Track Record
At only 23, Daniels has an impressive resume. With a notable 55 games under his belt from his college career at Arizona State and LSU and a Heisman Trophy from 2023, he’s a player hard to overlook. However, the young player has yet to prove himself in the pro realm.
Mariota’s Struggles in the NFL
His competitor, Mariota, picked No. 2 overall in 2015, is known for his unfulfilled potential in the NFL. Despite his promising beginnings, Mariota fell short with the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. After being benched during the filming of the Netflix series “Quarterback,” Mariota quit the Falcons, a move that is still fresh in fans’ minds. He joined the Commanders in March 2024 with a one-year contract for $6 million.
Kliff Kingsbury’s Role as Offensive Coordinator
The Commanders’ offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, is known for developing winning quarterbacks. Kingsbury has helped Case Keenum set NCAA records at Houston. He was also there for Johnny Manziel’s Heisman Trophy win at Texas A&M in 2012. Kingsbury’s timeline also includes turning walk-on Baker Mayfield into a starter and guiding Patrick Mahomes’ career, earning him a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
However, Kingsbury’s quarterback development skills have not translated equally to success in the NFL. His modest professional record includes selecting Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray at No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL draft and failing to create significant progress in four seasons.
The Quarterback Competitions in Summer
The Commanders are not the only team expecting a quarterback competition. At least five other teams—possibly six—are expected to face quarterback competitions this summer. Choices have to be made, and every decision counts.
Bear’s Early Move to Caleb Williams
The Chicago Bears moved fast, already naming Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, their starting quarterback. He is currently the only first-round quarterback to secure a starting position. Daniels, along with Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings, and Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos, remains in quarterback competitions that may continue into training camp.
As decisions loom, the Washington Commanders are biding their time, carefully evaluating Daniels and Mariota to make the call that shapes their future season.