After being drafted No. 2 overall in the 2024 draft, Jayden Daniels quickly burst on the scene for the Washington Commanders. Despite looking like the NFL's next quarterback sensation, one former player doesn't think he's ready to jump into the upper echelon just yet.
With his combination of throwing ability and speed, Daniels is the ideal archetype of QB that thrives in the modern NFL. This was on full display during his rookie season, as he notched over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns to go along with rushing for nearly 900 yards.
Led by their new young and dynamic quarterback, the Commanders went on to win 12 games in the regular season and punch their ticket to the playoffs. He managed to lead Washington all the way to the conference championship before eventually being knocked off by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Coming off a rookie campaign that had him finish seventh in MVP voting, Daniels is a player many will be keeping an eye on in 2025. However, when asked about him staying in the discussion for the award, Phil Simms quickly shot it down. While on the "Up & Adams" show earlier this week, he listed a handful of quarterbacks likely to be ahead of him.
"He's not gonna take a step back, but I don't think he'll be the MVP," Simms said. "Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, these are them guys, even if the team is not good, they're still capable and willing and can still have outstanding seasons."
While the NFL is loaded with numerous incredible talents at the QB position, Daniels is someone who shouldn't be overlooked. Seeing that he finished in the top seven last year, he has already put himself on a lot of people's radar. If Daniels is able to build off the season he had in 2024, he can certainly be in the same breath as the quarterbacks Simms mentioned.
Another thing that Daniels has going for him is that the Commanders upgraded the cast of talent around him this offseason. Back in March, Washington pulled off a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire wide receiver Deebo Samuel. They also upgraded in the backfield by signing running back Austin Ekeler. Between this duo, Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, Daniels has no shortage of offensive weapons at his disposal.
The key for Daniels staying in the MVP race is Washington winning games. If they keep on making noise in the NFC, the rising star will have a pathway to being front and center in such debates.