Quarterback Jayden Daniels of the 12-5 Washington Commanders will enter the “Sunday Night Football” wild-card playoff game at the 10-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers as this season’s uncrowned Offensive Rookie of the Year Award winner.
During a recent chat with NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin noted how backup Marcus Mariota has been “the right kind of person” to share a quarterback room with Daniels since springtime workouts.
“Since he’s got here, he’s been a great leader for us. He’s one of the most selfless players I’ve ever been around,” McLaurin said about Mariota. “He’s done nothing but give his best for the team, whether he’s taking reps or he’s sitting on the sidelines coaching us up. …He’s played a lot of football, and he knows how to come in.”
Mariota never became the star the Tennessee Titans hoped they’d get when they made him the second overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. When he signed with the Commanders last March, it was no secret that Washington would ultimately use the second choice of the 2024 draft on a signal-caller such as Daniels. It then became clear early into training camp that Daniels would win an alleged competition for the starting job, but Mariota seemingly never grew bitter regarding his situation.
Coaching, along with a positive culture, is seen by analysts as two reasons Daniels flourished throughout his rookie season as Caleb Williams, the first pick of the 2024 draft, struggled with the Chicago Bears. Meanwhile, Mariota was called into action during Washington’s 23-19 win over the rival Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday and completed 15-of-18 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 56 yards and scored in the victory.
“He just has a calm demeanor about him that makes everything OK,” McLaurin added about Mariota. “For him to come in and execute the way that he did with his legs, with his arms, that’s what it’s about. That speaks to our culture where no matter who’s in there, quarterback, receivers, line, defense, the standard is the standard. We all take pride in upholding that.”
As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Commanders as three-point underdogs versus the Buccaneers. While Washington understandably will want Daniels to take every meaningful snap of that game, it sounds like McLaurin and others in the locker room wouldn’t lose hope if Mariota were needed at Raymond James Stadium in front of a prime-time television audience.
