The No. 2 overall pick of the 2024 draft is set to see his first NFL action this week.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will play in Washington's preseason opener this Saturday versus the New York Jets, head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Sunday.
"I think we've probably said it all along there's been a whole process," Quinn said Sunday. "Like, it's not been a secret at all but a process of how we're going to go get guys ready. So, the games are important, to go and play and get ready -- not just with Jayden, but with everybody."
Quinn's reveal wasn't much of a surprise, though he didn't say whether Daniels would start the game or how long he's expected to play.
The 23-year-old has been sharing starting reps throughout training camp with veteran Marcus Mariota, and their preseason performances might very well be the determining factor in who wins the starting job, based on what Quinn said to begin training camp on July 23.
Daniels told reporters later in the day that he's "excited" to play in the preseason opener in order to see where things stand.
"Going out there will be a different challenge, for not just me but for the whole team, going against somebody you're not familiar with," he said. "(We'll) see where the cards fall knowing that we can go out there and we can make mistakes. We try to execute at a high level, but that's kind of what this time is for, to go out there and see what we can do and what we can't do. Trial and error, and move forward."
Daniels has seemingly been ready to start from the jump and comes in with plenty of playing experience having started 55 games in five college seasons (12,750 passing yards, 89 touchdowns). He burst onto the scene during his final college season, winning the Heisman Trophy and showing tremendous capability as a dual-threat quarterback, which led Washington to select the LSU product at No. 2 overall.
Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, didn't play in last Thursday's Hall of Fame game, but that wasn't a shocker considering the Bears were scheduled with one more preseason games compared to 30 other squads.
Gauging how the entire Washington offense is comprehending a new scheme might compel Quinn to play other featured players on offense as competing signal-callers take the helm, however, as the Commanders hope to have finally landed a franchise QB, we certainly know who will be getting all the attention.
Commanders-Jets is set to kick off at 12 p.m. ET this Saturday at MetLife Stadium.