Jayden Daniels' key weapon says what sets the Commanders quarterback apart from the rest in the NFL

When the Washington Commanders picked quarterback Jayden Daniels in the NFL Draft last year, they hoped he’d be good. It’s hard to imagine they thought he was going to be that good! However, it’s not only his play what sets him apart, according to one of his best weapons.

Zach Ertz is one of the best tight ends in the last decade, and at 34 years old, he just had one of his better seasons in recent memory. After posting 654 yards with 7 touchdowns, Ertz described what sets Daniels apart in a recent interview with NFL journalist Doug Farrar.

“But it really was the intangible stuff with Jayden that you knew he was gonna be able to be successful… He’s not out there showing off… He’s really just out there trying to be at his best, because he has extremely high expectations for himself. He holds himself to very high standards, and he’s going to do everything he can to maximize his potential,” Ertz said. The tight end also added, “And that, to me, is the ultimate difference-maker… the sky’s the limit for Jayden, obviously.”

Ertz knows a thing or two about football

Ertz is a three-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl champion and a leader. You can’t find many tight ends that have 5 or more 800-yard seasons. Also, playing 12 seasons in the NFL will show you everything. Ertz has also played with plenty of quarterbacks.

Zach Ertz #86 of the Washington Commanders smiles prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Northwest Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.

Prime Carson Wentz, Kyler Murray, Michael Vick, Sam Bradford… Ertz has played with very talented players. Not only that, Ertz said “I mean, this is gonna sound a little cliche, but I knew early on. To those that would listen, I don’t say this lightly, he’s the closest to Andrew Luck that I’ve been around.” This is a big endorsement from one of NFL’s most respected veterans.

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Jayden Daniels receives crucial update from Commanders regarding Terry McLaurin’s contract situation

Daniels has to avoid the ‘sophomore slump’

It’s happened to the likes of Baker Mayfield and C.J. Stroud, the sophomore slump is real. Why does this happens? Well, teams are not surprised by the quarterback’s abilities anymore and there is more tape to study about them. Daniels is looking to avoid this and keep being one of the best NFL signal-callers.

The Washington Commanders are on a gruesome contract battle with star wideout Terry McLaurin, but they should really know that he is key to helping Jayden Daniels’ evolution. Aside of McLaurin, Daniels has new weapons like Deebo Samuel and Michael Gallup. Also, they brought a stellar left tackle in Laremy Tunsil and left guard Nate Herbig to protect Daniels’ blind side.