During his final season at LSU, quarterback Jayden Daniels passed for over 3,800 yards and rushed for over 1,100 more, accounted for 50 touchdowns and won the Heisman Trophy.
Daniels drew comparisons to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for his dual-threat abilities. Jackson is also a former Heisman Trophy winner and the NFL’s preeminent dual-threat quarterback.
The comparisons were natural. Daniels, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders, is off to a historic start to his NFL career. This weekend in Baltimore, Jackson’s 3-2 Ravens host Daniels’ 4-1 Commanders.
Daniels met with the media Wednesday and was asked if he is tired of the comparisons to Jackson.
“Yeah, I think it’s, you go out there and just appreciate each individual for who they are,” Daniels said. “So, I don’t like when people really like try to compare me to Lamar and vice versa. We’re two different players, and just go out there, just appreciate what the quarterback players being played. So that’s what I try to do, is just appreciate everybody for who they are.”
Daniels has often shared his admiration of Jackson and did so again.
“It goes back some time,” Daniels said of his relationship with Jackson. “Kind of like a big bro, little bro type of thing, but it’s a mutual respect between both.”
People often want to compare a young player to someone else. This applies not just to the NFL but other sports, too. While Daniels and Jackson have some similarities, they are different players.
Daniels is focused on being Jayden Daniels, not Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, or anyone else. That’s the right approach.
Jackson agreed with Daniels.
Lamar Jackson agrees with Jayden Daniels that they shouldn’t be compared. “He’s his own player,” Jackson said. pic.twitter.com/SGxBYzZG4n
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 9, 2024
Can’t we all just enjoy two exciting quarterbacks without feeling the need to compare them? Sunday’s game between the Commanders and Ravens should be fun for many reasons, including for geographical reasons.