Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels addressed the media following Wednesday's practice. Here are five takeaways from his press conference.
1. His budding relationship with Deebo Samuel.
With both Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown missing time due to injury, Samuel has emerged as one of the offense's best weapons. He leads the team with 300 receiving yards on 30 catches with four total scores, three of which have come through the air. He was Daniels' favorite target in his first game back, catching eight of his 11 targets for 97 yards and a touchdown to ice the win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Daniels is not surprised by that skill set.
"I would just say obviously as a playmaker, it kind of just spoke for itself when we traded for him," Daniels said. "Everything he did in San Fran[cisco], he's doing that here. So, we find ways to just to get him the ball and let him make plays."
While the Commanders would have rather had the likes of McLaurin and Brown on the field over the last few months, their absence allowed Daniels to develop a connection with Samuel. Daniels often targeted Samuel on deep passes downfield in training camp, and Samuel, who has been dedicated to showing he still possesses the same athleticism he had earlier in his career, often rewarded that faith with contested grabs.
The two dedicated themselves to building a strong rapport, and so far, that extra work is paying off.
"The more we talk, the more we hang out in the locker room, guys get closer, you start completing some passes on and off the field, and you talk about different things so you can see it through the eyes of me, and he's doing a great job," Daniels said.