Jayden Daniels has tremendous pressure on his young shoulders. The quarterback is tasked with bringing one of the league’s most historic franchises back to prominence after the Washington Commanders selected him at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s not the easiest task, but one the player is relishing.

The Commanders placed a significant amount of faith in Daniels. He was the guy from a long way out despite their tight-lipped approach leading to constant speculation about which direction they’d go. After such a comprehensive assessment of each signal-caller emerging from the college ranks, fans should have a level of faith in general manager Adam Peters after his impressive first offseason at the helm.

There will be times of struggle. C.J. Stroud’s rookie campaign was the outlier rather than the norm when it comes to first-year quarterbacks. But the environment around Daniels seems to indicate immediate improvements can arrive if Washington’s offensive line manages to become a cohesive unit throughout the preparation period.

NFL analyst tips Commanders to thrive with Jayden Daniels

This was a sentiment echoed by Bucky Brooks from NFL.com. The respected analyst believes Daniels has the sizzling playing style to spearhead the Commanders’ renaissance. If everything clicks in the coming months, he believes strides will be noticeable right out of the gate.

“On the field, the addition of Jayden Daniels gives the Commanders the QB1 they have been looking for since Kirk Cousins’ departure after the 2017 season. The LSU standout dazzles as an electric dual-threat quarterback with elite passing skills and impromptu playmaking ability. With Kliff Kingsbury experienced in exploiting a dynamic athlete at the position (SEE: Kyler Murray), the Commanders could hit the ground running in 2024.”

There’s a growing sense that something special could be brewing in the nation’s capital. It’s been decades since this fanbase had a team to be genuinely proud of. A team capable of challenging for honors and being revered around the NFL.

Whether it takes one year or three, the Commanders have covered every base and solidified the foundations for a brighter future. If Daniels can pick up where he left off during his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign at LSU, there’s no telling what his ceiling might be en route to becoming a genuine franchise presence under center.

While there are some obvious concerns about the offensive line – especially on the edge – Daniels has the pocket savviness and mobility to compensate for this to a certain extent. Kliff Kingsbury needs to mold a system around his strengths, but the Commanders have a potentially productive running back tandem and wide receivers who should be able to make plays if schemed effectively.

Daniels knows what a huge responsibility this is. He’s also got that cool, calm aura to take everything in his stride and rely on what got him this far. It’s a good environment to be walking into – a far cry from what signal-callers who came before the player experienced. Making the most of it is crucial to the organization’s short and long-term aspirations.

If Brooks ends up being right, it won’t be much longer before the good times return with Daniels leading the charge.