Jayden Daniels is physically talented, but there is another trait that will take him much further.
Daniels sports the fourth-highest passer rating (106.2) right now, that after only five games in his NFL career. The rookie from LSU is also second in yards per pass attempt (8.7), just behind the 49ers Brock Purdy.
At one point Sunday, Daniels was a mere eight completions in 17 attempts, but Daniels rose up and finished strong, completing 14 of 25 passes for the day. Thus, he still leads the NFL in completion percentage at 77.1 percent.
Great scramble by JD for 32yds!! pic.twitter.com/iLcFbgjWHL
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) October 6, 2024
Did I mention how fast Daniels is on his feet? Daniels is fast enough that he doesn’t even look like he is running that hard when he is actually running beyond players. All Daniels did Sunday was lead the Commanders in rushing with 11 carries, gaining 82 yards.
So, he can throw short, quickly, deeply, and accurately, and he can also run. But what I liked best about Daniels on Sunday is what I heard following the game. Daniels was being asked about the Commanders’ slow start, if perhaps the coverages were keeping him off balance.
Daniels simply responded, “Man, I just missed some throws, that’s it.” Short, succinct, to the point, and most importantly, not casting blame on others. “There will be some plays I wish I had back…”
How about that? Potentially and perhaps already your best NFL player, and when he had the power of the microphone, he chose to simply take the blame himself.
No blaming the receivers for the routes ran, the head coach or offensive coordinator for being too conservative, or the offensive line for not providing him enough to see the field and adequately assess the situation.
Former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower once said, “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity.” Daniels already seems to understand that if he is to lead this team, he is going to have to be willing to lead and accept the blame when he doesn’t perform up to his expected standards.
It could be the trait that will result in his teammates supporting him and wanting to perform their best for him.