Jayden Daniels is accustomed to playing under the lights. Daniels began his career at Arizona State, where he started for three seasons before transferring to LSU for his final two collegiate seasons.
During his time with the Tigers, Daniels played in his fair share of big games. As a rookie with the Washington Commanders, Daniels has already experienced a lot of firsts. In Week 1, it was his NFL debut. In Week 2, it was his home debut.
Now, in Week 3, Daniels plays in his first career Monday Night Football game. The 1-1 Commanders are in Cincinnati to face a desperate Bengals team looking to avoid a 0-3 start.
How is Daniels approaching his first career NFL prime-time game?
“I mean, it’s special, obviously,” Daniels said. “Be able to play one that’s early just coming off my first actual game, the first home opener, now first Monday night game. So, it’s gonna be special, but at the end of the day, it’s another game you’re just playing later on in the week.”
His opponent this week is someone with whom Daniels has a lot in common: Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Both are former LSU record-breaking quarterbacks who won the Heisman Trophy after transferring to the Tigers and spending their final two years in Baton Rouge.
Burrow spoke about Daniels last week and is a fan.
Has Daniels spoken to Burrow recently?
“No, I haven’t talked to him recently,” Daniels said of Burrow. “I wish him nothing but the best in his success over in Cincinnati, what he’s done so far, what he did for the state of Louisiana. So, it’s big for the whole state of Louisiana to see both of us go up against each other on Monday night.”
Washington won its first game last week, defeating the Giants 21-18, while the Bengals lost a heartbreaker to the Chiefs.