Dan Orlovsky's take on Jayden Daniels shakes up the NFL debate.
The Washington Commanders have transformed in just one year. Under new ownership, the franchise has pivoted toward success. But the real game-changer? Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has emerged as a standout talent.
Dan Orlovsky’s pre-draft statement about Daniels is making waves again. The former quarterback had said, “If I were the Chicago Bears, I would take Jayden Daniels.” He believed Daniels was a better choice than Caleb Williams, the consensus No. 1 pick by the Bears. Now, with Daniels leading the Commanders to back-to-back playoff wins, Orlovsky’s words seem prescient.
Daniels has exceeded all expectations. From the start, he’s performed like a seasoned veteran. He led the Commanders to a dominant playoff victory over the Detroit Lions as 9.5-point underdogs and secured a spot in the NFC Championship. His poise under pressure and ability to win big games have turned heads.
Meanwhile, Caleb Williams, hailed as a generational prospect, had an uneven rookie season. Though he showed flashes of brilliance, his progress has been overshadowed by Daniels’ stellar debut.
Despite Daniels’ success, it’s too early to declare a winner in the Daniels vs. Williams debate. NFL history shows how premature conclusions can age poorly. CJ Stroud’s early comparisons to Tom Brady, for instance, were overly ambitious. Similarly, Josh Allen’s rookie struggles led to doubts before he became an MVP contender.
Orlovsky has a history of hot takes. While his assessment of Daniels now seems spot-on, his skepticism about Allen’s potential processing skills serves as a reminder that rookie seasons don’t define careers.
When the Bears drafted Williams, it was seen as a no-brainer. His college resume and generational hype made him the obvious pick. Daniels, despite his strong LSU career, was a wildcard. One season later, Bears fans are hearing the all-too-familiar narrative of drafting the wrong quarterback, a story they know well from the Mitch Trubisky-Patrick Mahomes debacle.
But it’s unfair to label Williams a bust. He showed promise, including an impressive head-to-head victory against Daniels in 2024. His journey is just beginning, and the Bears’ investment in him could still pay dividends.
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