Jayden Daniels’ impressive start to his rookie campaign has many pundits comparing the 23-year-old to another transcendent quarterback: Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes is largely considered the best quarterback in the NFL and considering how successful the Kansas City Chiefs had been with him as the main signal caller, many believe he already is one of the best quarterbacks of all time at only 29 years old. Though Daniels is just five games into his professional career, many already are believing he is on the same trajectory as Mahomes thanks to Daniels’ seemingly photographic memory.
One of those who believe Daniels is on the path to superstardom is Fox Sports senior national writer Peter Schrager. While speaking with Bill Simmons, Schrager explained just how special he believes Daniels is and will become as his career continues to progress.
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“Kliff [Kingsbury] and I talk all the time – he had Caleb [Williams] last year. They don’t even think Jayden Daniels’ scratched the surface,” Schrager began. “He is that much of a leader and has an arm like no one expected, and can move in the pocket. I remember I talked to Andy Reid – and this is a tough comparison for anyone – but it was when Alex Smith was starting and I asked Andy Reid in a production meeting for Fox.
“I was like, ‘What about Mahomes?’ … and he’s like, ‘I think Mahomes might have a photographic memory. He sees things and I don’t need to drill it into him. He just sees the board and he gets it. And I’m so excited to think there’s an opportunity that he’s gonna absolutely run with this thing when the torches pass.’
“That’s what Jayden Daniels’ cerebrally is like. Mentally gets it, so the IQ is there, the ability is there. It’s this amazing quarterback, this young guy but surrounding him with the right veteran leaders and the right voices and the right coaches that everything has clicked – and I think they haven’t even unleashed Jayden to do what he can do athletically yet.”
Jayden Daniels’ start to his rookie season has earned him incredible comparisons to Patrick Mahomes (
Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
So impressive has Daniels been that he is also being compared to CJ Stroud, the Houston Texans’ star quarterback who has just had a historic season. Stroud was key in helping turn the Texans’ fortunes around in 2023 and he was even in the MVP conversation for his impressive season, despite being a rookie.
Through their first four games, Daniels had a higher completion percentage, more rushing yards, and touchdowns and had a better record than Stroud. Still, that’s not an accurate indicator of how Daniels’ season will continue as a multitude of factors can play a role in the Washington Commanders’ performance.
Despite the randomness of the NFL season, ESPN pundit Dan Orlovsky already believes Daniels has what it takes to lead Washington to the Super Bowl in the future. On “Get Up,” Orlovsky made it clear just how much he believes in the rookie quarterback.
“Washington has found their Lamar Jackson,” Orlovsky’s sentiment began as it became clear Daniels had outplayed Williams and Bo Nix in the early going. “The playmaking with his feet is spectacular, and automatically, this team is going to contend for Super Bowls because of this young player.
“Passing, the time of their pass game has gone up. They run the ball well with Brian Robinson, his connection with the receivers. (Daniels) unfazed. Nothing fazes this young man.”
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