ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano predicts whether Jayden Daniels will slump or jump in Year 2

ESPN’s Dan Graziano played a little game of “Slump or Jump” with Jayden Daniels as he heads into his sophomore season in the NFL. Will the Commanders’ star quarterback continue his ascent after his phenomenal rookie season, or bounce back down to earth in Year 2? That’s the question many are asking.

Evidently, Graziano is a major believer in Daniels. He predicted sustained success for the Washington quarterback, even alluding to a potential Super Bowl appearance for Dan Quinn’s team amid extremely high hopes for the franchise.

“I say jump,” Graziano proclaimed, regarding Daniels’ sophomore season in the NFL. “I think what Washington is doing around Jayden Daniels is every right move. They’re adding a left tackle in Laremy Tunsil. They brought in Deebo Samuel, who I think helps the passing game. They got a little better in the run game. That offense could be even more electrifying than it was for most of last year.

“I think, Dan Quinn — he’s a guy that took the Falcons to the Super Bowl in his second season in Atlanta. Heading into his second season in Washington, I don’t see why hopes can’t be very, very high.”

Last season, Daniels started and won 14 games, including the playoffs, this year, tied with former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (14 wins in 2004) for the most wins by a rookie quarterback, including the postseason in NFL history. The former LSU Tigers star became the fourth rookie QB all-time to start and win multiple playoff games, joining Joe Flacco (2008 with Baltimore), Brock Purdy (2022 with San Francisco) and Mark Sanchez (2009 with the New York Jets).

Additionally, Daniels completed 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 891 yards and six more scores. Those were in the upper echelon of passing stats in the league, while also being top-three in rushing yards and touchdowns for quarterbacks. 

In the playoffs, Daniels led the Commanders to the NFC Championship, within one game of Super Bowl LIX. In wins over Tampa Bay and Detroit and their elimination loss at Philadelphia, Daniels completed 65.8% of his throws for postseason-leading passing yards of 822 along with five touchdowns and one pick.

Time will tell if he can continue his incredible play in Year 2, but expectations are sky-high for Jayden Daniels. The Commanders are the hot new team on the block entering 2025, and it all hinges on their quarterback’s play.