In Washington, the mood for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been simmering since the first two games of the season. The excitement reached its peak on Monday night when Daniels delivered an impressive pass against an all-out blitz to secure the Commanders’ unexpected win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Now the focus turns to the further development of the NFC Offensive Player of the Week and the role of Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Daniels delivered almost perfect statistics: 93 percent of his passes found their target, he threw two touchdowns and scored another with a run. What’s particularly remarkable is how, early in his career, he has overcome his college weaknesses and is learning from his mistakes in real time. Kingsbury, known as the former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, had a similar start with Kyler Murray. But after taking a break in 2023 to renew and improve, he is now returning to the NFL with renewed vigor. He spent the past year alongside Lincoln Riley with the Southern California Trojans, where he immersed himself in the world of college offense and learned from the best quarterbacks. This time helped him rethink and refine his coaching methods. Daniels’ recent success also stems from this new, improved approach. Kingsbury explained that Daniels exhibits an attacking mentality that fits perfectly with the philosophy of the offense. This philosophy has helped big names like Caleb Williams and Baker Mayfield achieve success. In the first three games, Daniels showed that he can act precisely and decisively even under pressure. Kingsbury praised his ability to quickly correct mistakes and learn from them. These qualities already distinguish him from his predecessor Kyler Murray. Kingsbury’s system, based on a fast-paced, no-huddle offense, continues to show success. However, consistency, keeping the offense efficient and avoiding quick three-and-outs remains a particular challenge. Another feature of the offense is the static placement of the receivers, which is offset by creative adjustments, as was the case with Terry McLaurin’s delight against the Bengals. The first signs of a successful collaboration between Daniels and Kingsbury are already visible. Week after week the offense is refined and developed. The goal: To create stability that gives space to both Daniels’ individual freedom and a structured, effective offense. The start of the season shows that Washington has a promising future with Daniels and Kingsbury. The dynamic between the up-and-coming quarterback and the experienced but curious coach continues to promise exciting games and an innovative offense.
