John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer
ASHBURN, Va. — In simply 4 video games, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has set a number of NFL data and helped revive a long-struggling franchise. His No. 5 jersey has even develop into a high vendor.
But he would not see himself as something apart from a man coming into his fifth sport.
“I'm still a rookie,” Daniels mentioned.
Those 4 video games have helped Washington to a 3-1 begin — its finest since 2011 — coming into Sunday's sport towards the Cleveland Browns (1-3).
Washington has not began 4-1 since 2008.
Daniels has already set the file for highest completion proportion after 4 video games of a season (82.1), and he has additionally develop into the primary quarterback to finish 85% or extra of his passes in two consecutive video games. He ranks fourth in quarterback ranking at 73.3 and in yards per try at 8.5. He has thrown for 897 yards, 3 touchdowns and just one interception whereas dashing for an additional 215 yards and 4 scores.
He has develop into a scorching matter of dialog on a number of TV and radio reveals. Fanatics even introduced that Daniels' jersey was its No. 1 vendor final week.
Daniels mentioned he is grateful to be on this place and impacting lives. But, whereas he is conscious of what persons are saying about him, he mentioned he is not letting it have an effect on him.
“Because I could be playing good and then playing bad and people would be thinking the opposite,” Daniels mentioned. “It's staying level-headed.”
In the spring, a reporter requested him about the advantages of being a “star” quarterback. Daniels shot that down, saying he hadn't accomplished something but. When requested Wednesday whether or not he might no less than be known as a “star rookie,” Daniels made it clear he wasn't enthusiastic about labels.
“You can say whatever you want,” Daniels mentioned. “I'm still a rookie in my eyes, so I let everybody else do the talking for me. I don't get caught up in that stuff. But man, it's just a blessing. Just the preparation, obviously the team believing in me and we're going out there and competing every Sunday.”
Washington coach Dan Quinn mentioned he hasn't apprehensive in regards to the further consideration and early success altering Daniels' strategy.
“All he has shown since he's been here is a relentless approach to getting better and staying in the moment,” Quinn mentioned. “He's got a remarkable level-headedness to him that's wise beyond his age. If I had concerns, I would've already addressed it. He is a very easy guy to support and being on this journey with him and starting with it together, it's a really cool thing that I get to be a part of with him.”
Daniels has constructed a powerful relationship with teammates, usually playfully jawing with linebacker Bobby Wagner about their respective basketball prowess, amongst different matters. But they see what he has accomplished and the way he has dealt with the early fame.
“He's very poised, very mature, and he comes in and works and that's the biggest thing, especially when you are young,” Wagner mentioned. “Just come in, do the work, make plays. The thing that's been the most impressive is with all the success, with all the national attention, he's been very humble and the work hasn't changed, which is really cool to see.”
