Joe Theismann sees Jayden Daniels checking ‘each field’ in electrifying Commanders begin

SEATTLE — It’s far too untimely to query whether or not the Bears ought to have drafted Jayden Daniels over Caleb Williams. Far too early to liken it to the Panthers selecting Bryce Younger over C.J. Stroud.

However former Washington Tremendous Bowl quarterback Joe Theismann absolutely understands why Jaydenmania is raging in and across the nation’s capital.

“I didn’t suppose there was another selection. Even when Caleb’s was there, I nonetheless suppose it could have been Jayden,” Theismann instructed Serby Says.”Should you consider [offensive coordinator] Kliff Kingsbury, consider Kyler Murray just a little bit — together with his athleticism, together with his skill to throw the soccer, Kyler went on to be Rookie of the Yr — I believe Jayden’s abilities match what Kliff desires to do as an offensive coach. Extra so than Caleb did.”

Daniels’ No. 5 jersey this previous week was the best-selling one at Fanatics.

”And it must be,” Theismann mentioned. “What he’s doing is unprecedented. I can’t ever recall anyone working at this sort of a stage.”

Daniels, the Offensive Participant of the Month, has been heaven despatched to a franchise that has been ravenous for a face of the franchise since Robert Griffin III’s Offensive Rookie of the Yr season, and demoralized by the poisonous finish of Daniel Snyder’s possession reign.

“You may record 10 issues that you really want out of a quarterback, he checks each field proper now,” Theismann mentioned. “No. 1, understanding the place to go along with the soccer. Processing and studying the protection, which he’s nonetheless within the improvement of. And that is the place Kliff helps him out, the place he will get the ball out of his palms the place he doesn’t have to face again there and survey the sphere. So 1 could be understanding the offense

“Clearly 2 could be his accuracy. [No.] 3 could be the rate of the ball. 4 could be his skill to acknowledge strain and escape. 5 could be to guard himself, which everyone’s harped about when he will get out operating into house.

“His work ethic is one other facet of it, that may be the sixth half … possibly it wasn’t 10, possibly it’s six or seven.

“The way in which he conducts himself is one other means. The way in which he practices is one other means.”

There isn’t a means Daniels can carry on finishing 82.1 % of his passes.

“We haven’t seen Jayden must take care of adversity but,” Theismann mentioned. “He’s working in a stratosphere that no one has operated in earlier than. Nevertheless it’s only a pattern measurement. We all know what the NFL can and can appear like. How’s climate going to have an effect on his efficiency? Within the Big sport, for instance, you didn’t get the ball in the long run zone, wasn’t your fault, however you stored making the proper of performs to maintain your workforce within the sport. … There’s one other ingredient of it. I used to have an indication in my locker that I used to learn earlier than I went out, and it was actual easy: You by no means must be the rationale the workforce wins. You simply can’t be the rationale it loses. And that applies mentally and bodily.”

Theismann expects Daniels (three passing touchdowns, one interception) to examine that adversity field.

“I anticipate him to have the identical demeanor. I anticipate him to not get flustered,” Theismann mentioned.

Daniels appears to be like born for the second and the stage.

“There’s positively a swagger with him,” Commanders guard Sam Cosmi instructed Serby Says. “He’s not a ‘me’ man in any respect, which I really like. Being the second choose within the draft, and taking part in how nicely he’s taking part in, none of that has proven. He’s actually humble, actually all the way down to earth in relation to simply being him. Yeah, he positively has a swagger about himself.”

Daniels is extra of a twin menace than RG3 was in 2012 earlier than a devastating knee harm knee-capped his profession in Washington.

”I believe Jayden is a greater pure thrower than Robert,” Theismann mentioned. “I assumed Robert nonetheless was persevering with to develop his expertise to have the ability to throw the soccer. … Jayden is much less of a take-off-and-run man than Robert was. The power to have the ability to escape the pocket and be capable to discover folks down the sphere, Robert by no means actually had an opportunity to completely develop that facet of it. That is the factor you hope Jayden will proceed to do.”

Daniels is starting to develop a chemistry with prime receiver Terry McLaurin. His 27-yard landing move to McLaurin in opposition to the Bengals was a dime.

“That completion share doesn’t come from a whole lot of 4-, 5-, 6-yard passes,” Theismann mentioned. “He’s throwing the ball down the sphere (8.5-yard common). It isn’t like on the finish of a sport he’s received 110 yards passing, and he’s accomplished 82 % of his passes.”

Some ponder whether Daniels (46 rushes, 218 yards, 4 speeding TDs) at a wiry 6-foot-4, 210 kilos can take a kicking and carry on ticking.

“Early on he took some hits,” Theismann mentioned. “He ran and slid as soon as, and he began smiling. And I’m considering to myself, ‘I believe that is what he could be considering. He could be considering: OK, all you people who carry on yelling at me to slip and get out of bounds, look, I’ve performed it (chuckle). So go away me alone. I received it.’ ’’

He’s a pure. He leads by instance.

“He’s tremendous calm, collected,” Cosmi mentioned. “There’s no sense of nervousness or something like that. It’s been very nice to have that confidence and that management within the huddle.”

Cosmi talked about all of the burgundy and gold within the crowd at Arizona final week when Daniels dominated the Cardinals in a 42-14 win.

“As a workforce we’re rallying round him,” Cosmi mentioned. “He’s quote-unquote ‘the commander of the offense,’ and it’s actually cool to see that and see what he’s doing for everyone in our fan base.”

Daniels performs with an unmistakable pleasure.

“I talked to him final week briefly within the locker room,” Theismann mentioned. “And he mentioned, ‘You understand, simply having enjoyable.’ He genuinely is having enjoyable. You’ll be able to see it in his demeanor. You’ll be able to see it in the best way he operates so far as preparation goes.’

Sauce Gardner knew Daniels was legit throughout the Jets’ joint apply with the Commanders in coaching camp.

“He was very assured,” Sauce instructed Serby Says. “That’s how I got here in, I used to be assured. So he simply had the mentality like he’d be within the league for extra than simply this 12 months. Assured in his arm, you recognize? I already instructed him he was going to be particular. I’m not shocked. That’s what’s anticipated.”

The franchise’s irritating seek for a franchise quarterback seems to have ended.

“Since I received damage in ’85, there have been 44 completely different beginning quarterbacks,” Theismann mentioned. “And the fan base has principally been starved for what could be the face of a franchise.”

The three-1 Commanders, who host the Browns on Sunday, shouldn’t be dismissed as a contender for the NFC East crown.

“He’s introduced an pleasure across the metropolis,” receiver Olamide Zaccheaus instructed Serby Says. “It’s been enjoyable to be part of. It’s simply going to proceed to develop as we proceed to get higher.”

Might success spoil the previous LSU Heisman Trophy winner?

“Someone mentioned to me, ‘Nicely, how do you suppose he’s going to deal with all this notoriety and the whole lot?’ ” Theismann mentioned. “And I mentioned, ‘I’ve one phrase for you: Heisman.’ He’s been down that highway.”

Workforce proprietor Josh Harris and restricted associate Magic Johnson ought to thank the soccer gods for Jayden Daniels.

“They couldn’t have dreamed it to be any higher,” Theismann mentioned.

The child has even entered the league MVP dialog. A dream come true for a franchise that desperately wanted one.