WASHINGTON — After months of speculation, Washington Commanders' head coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels will start as quarterback for the team in its first preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday.
When asked whether Daniels was QB 1 for the game during a press conference, Quinn said, "On the first unofficial depth chart, he is."
Quinn said Daniels earned the right to start in the game. He has been splitting training camp snaps with veteran Marcus Mariota. Quinn was quick to point out that Mariota has had a strong camp himself so far.
"I couldn't think of a better teammate than Marcus for Jayden," Quinn said. He said the competition between the two QBs has driven Daniels to perform at the best of his abilities.
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU who instantly became the face of the reinvigorated franchise when he was taken with the second pick in the NFL draft this past spring.
"I had high expectations of him going in, but I would say he has surpassed even my expectations," Quinn said of Daniels' work in training camp.
The team is getting ready for a joint practice with the Jets on Thursday ahead of the first preseason matchup. The Commanders visit Tampa Bay on Sept. 8 to open the regular season.