It's been a long time since Washington Commanders fans saw star quarterback Jayden Daniels on the field in a typical NFL game-day setting. That eagerly awaited moment arrived on the bright lights of Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Daniels is looking to build on a phenomenal first campaign in the pros. He displayed the playmaking, dynamism, poise, and nerves of steel that took the league by storm immediately. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft dragged the Commanders from the proverbial wilderness to the NFC Championship game, and long-term expectations soared along the way.
After giving Daniels the night off in Washington's preseason opener versus the New England Patriots, head coach Dan Quinn was eager to get the signal-caller into a rhythm. Several veterans, including wide receiver Terry McLaurin, didn't join the former LSU standout, but this was the perfect chance for others to impress with an electrifying presence under center.
Quinn revealed that Daniels' time on the field wouldn't be for long, but every little helps. And of course, the Bengals were the team that fell victim to the rookie's coming-out party in Week 3 last season.
With that being said, here are five critical observations from Daniels' performance versus Cincinnati at Northwest Stadium.
Critical observations from Jayden Daniels' preseason display against the Bengals
Jayden Daniels' confidence
The swagger is difficult to ignore where Jayden Daniels is concerned. It's an understated confidence — a natural aura that people naturally gravitate towards. That was on display from the moment he got onto the field against the Bengals.
There isn't much Daniels cannot do when he gets under center. But unless a quarterback has the required confidence to inspire others, it's difficult to generate momentum. Everyone is firmly behind the signal-caller, willingly following him into battle. They know that if they can put the LSU product in a position to come through in the clutch, he'll almost always deliver.
This was a brief cameo compared to what Daniels will be tasked with during the regular season. However, that didn't stop the dynamic dual-threat quarterback from exuding confidence throughout. He was without some prominent members of his supporting cast to depend upon, but it didn't matter.
Daniels just looked more comfortable. That was evident quickly last season, but it seems like another offseason to familiarize himself with the scheme and develop chemistry with his pass-catchers has served him well.
Now, it's a case of staying sharp before the real action begins.