ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels could make performs along with his legs, identical to Sunday’s opposing quarterback Lamar Jackson. That does not imply Daniels views the 2 as comparable.
“I do not like when individuals attempt to examine me to Lamar,” Daniels mentioned. “We’re two totally different gamers. I need to be often known as Jayden Daniels and never the following such-and-such.”
Washington (4-1) performs at Baltimore (3-2) on Sunday in a matchup of the NFL’s two highest-scoring offenses — and two of probably the most dynamic quarterbacks.
Daniels owns the NFL’s third-highest quarterback ranking (73.2); Jackson’s is fifth (67.2).
Jackson has thrown for 1,206 yards passing and 9 touchdowns whereas speeding for an additional 363 yards and two scores. In the meantime, Daniels has thrown for 1,135 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushed for 300 yards and 4 scores. Each quarterbacks are on tempo to surpass 1,000 yards speeding.
However whereas their stats could be comparable, that does not imply they’re the identical quarterback. Quite a few NFL evaluators and coaches echoed that sentiment earlier than the draft, mentioning variations between the 2 — akin to Daniels’ superior capability to play from the pocket in comparison with Jackson’s when the latter was drafted in 2018.
“He is his personal participant,” Jackson mentioned. “He is his personal man. On the finish of the day, we’re making an attempt to make a reputation by ourself, not anybody else.”
Daniels will likely be enjoying in solely his sixth NFL sport; Jackson is in his seventh season and has gained two NFL Most Useful Participant awards.
Daniels mentioned they’ve a relationship that “goes again a while, type of like an enormous bro, little bro kind of factor.” He mentioned they’ve a mutual respect.
“I like watching good quarterback play,” Daniels mentioned. “I am a fan of his, and the way he performs the sport, how he approaches the sport. However we’re two totally different quarterbacks, two totally different kinds. I recognize what he is carried out for the game and what he is carried out for the African American quarterbacks.”
Daniels mentioned he is used to being in comparison with different quarterbacks, from the time he was in highschool by way of getting into the draft.
“However for me it is simply, go on the market and attempt to be distinctive and attempt to be totally different from everyone,” Daniels mentioned. “Respect what they do as a result of you possibly can at all times be taught from different quarterbacks within the league. I am not closed-minded.”
Washington coach Dan Quinn mentioned there’s one side of their video games that he views as shut.
“Each of those two are elite opponents on the highest degree,” Quinn mentioned. “That reveals on tape, the best way they prolong performs, the best way they end, the best way they lead their group. Each have their distinctive methods however on this sport there are improbable opponents and there is the elite and these two guys are elite at it.”
Daniels mentioned he likes watching quite a few quarterbacks, from Jackson to Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Daniels will choose the brains of different NFL quarterbacks he works out with within the offseason, asking about their offenses and the way they made sure performs.
However whereas Daniels and Jackson could be totally different gamers, Washington hopes its rookie quarterback can have the identical long-term influence Jackson has had.
“It is powerful to match anybody to Lamar,” Washington tight finish Zach Ertz mentioned. “Lamar has been probably the greatest gamers within the league for a really very long time and Jayden simply had his fifth sport within the league. We have got all the arrogance on this planet that he’ll be in that dialog for a very long time. However it’s a disservice to each gamers.”
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.
