So what does Joe Theismann think of Jayden Daniels after the joint practice “debut” of one of the most hyped QBs Washington has had since his time here ended?
“I've had a chance to be around him and I watched him practice, and he checks every box that you want for a young man to play that position,” Theismann told the Junkies Friday. “It was the absolute must choice for the Commanders to get him with that pick; absolutely nothing else would have satisfied the fan. But when you watch his work ethic and then you talk to the coaches and you see how he applies himself, his demeanor is very even-keeled, and all the things you’re looking for, I think he’s special in that regard.”
What Joe really likes about Daniels is that he’s already been through an offensive ‘upgrade’ of sorts going from Arizona State to LSU, so from the SEC to the NFL is a more manageable jump in theory.
Oh, and his skills, too, of course.
“I always look at how smooth the delivery is, if it’s labored or herky-jerky, and he has a great, smooth release – and to me, that means that you're processing what you see,” Joe said. “When the games start we'll get a better idea – tomorrow night, with the limited amount he’ll at least get under center and communicate to thehuddle exactly what needs to be done, and those are the little things that have to get, you know, the boxes have to get checked – but he gets the ball out of his hands and he processes very well, and he's smart.”
So, could he be this year’s CJ Stroud, and help the Commanders be this year’s Texans?
“I got my fingers crossed we have a young man that has athleticism but doesn't place that above his ability to throw the football; know, throwing the football is number one, making plays with your legs is number two,” Joe said. “I was that runaround kind of quarterback, so where do you find the balance to be able to stay disciplined enough in a pocket to do what you need to do, or when things flash you take off? In college he was probably the best or second-best athlete on the field, but that’s not the case at this level, so you have to be smart, play with your head and protect himself. I want to see him do that and play 17 games, line up every week and get better.”
A big key to that will be how the offensive line performs, but Theismann thinks the talent on offense is enough for Jayden to get the job done.
“At the end of the year, you look at the five guys that have been together the most up front, and they're probably gonna be competing in a championship game or even a Super Bowl,” he said. “If we can keep everybody healthy up front and they grow together, we'll be in good shape.”
Take a listen to Theismann’s entire critique of the team above!