Jay Gruden talks Jayden Daniels, Commanders' new offense with Lynnell Willingham

Jayden Daniels is atop the depth chart for the first preseason game, and if he remains there for the regular-season opener, the Washington Commanders are putting a lot on the shoulders of the first-year quarterback. Did first-year GM Adam Peters and new head coach Dan Quinn surround Daniels with enough talent to succeed?

"I think they needed to improve [from last year] upfront and I think they did that," former Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden told Lynnell Willingham (in for Craig Hoffman) on Wednesday.

"They got the center from Dallas, Tyler [Biadasz], he's a good player. Obviously the draft pick [Brandon Coleman], we're hoping that he pans out at left tackle, gives them some depth, some bigger players," Gruden continued. "I think the most important thing was adding Zach Ertz and the tight end from Kansas State [Ben Sinnott], which will help a lot because they didn't have a physical presence at tight end last year, which was a big part of not being able to run the ball. Everybody got on [offensive coordinator Eric] Bieniemy for not running the ball, I don't think they had the people to physically run the ball. Now I think they do.

"And I think that running game, with Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler will help take a lot of pressure off Jayden and I think that has to happen."

Another way Daniels will have less pressure on him is the coverage defenses will have to play against him to attempt to negate his running ability. Speaking about the QB gashing Florida during his Heisman season, the former head coach said, "They weren't really designed runs, so you're gonna see a lot more spot-drop zones and things with eyes on the quarterback, spies, which will take pressure off him, which will be one less rusher which will be huge. So I think his ability to run will be a special dynamic. Other quarterbacks have it, but the way he runs is a special attribute."

When Gruden was evaluating Daniels ahead of the NFL Draft, he said the rookie quarterback's ability to understand the pace of play, relaying the play call from the OC to the huddle, being able to execute changes to the play and protection shifts at the line of scrimmage and his ability to read different defenses will be the big factor in the rookie having a good season.

Gruden added he's excited to see how Daniels does, but cautions for expectations to stop from running away.

After looking to the future, Willingham and Gruden looked back to the past. Listen to that full conversation on the audio player above!