Despite his seeming lack of agency in the situation, rumors have persisted that LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels prefers not to be drafted by the Commanders. Washington holds the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, though, so unless Daniels becomes a favorite for No. 1 over USC’s Caleb Williams all of the sudden, it’s up to the Commanders to make that decision. A recent report from Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports attempted to dispel the recent rumors, claiming that the situation has been overblown. 
The rumors seemed to stem from two different instances. The first was a report that Daniels would love to be drafted by the Raiders. Realistically, this would either require a huge trade up from Las Vegas’ current spot at 13th overall. Or Daniels would need to somehow slip back far enough to still be available by then. The rumor stems from the fact that Daniels and new Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce are familiar with each other from the time the two shared at Arizona State.
The second instance was Daniels’ “top 30” visit with the Commanders. Washington took a strange approach in their “top 30” visits with the draft’s quarterbacks. Instead of hosting each quarterback on their own individual visit, the Commanders invited Daniels, UNC’s Drake Maye, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. all at the same time. Based on reports that Daniels was caught off guard by this, they seemingly designed the group visit without informing the prospects that their competition would be in attendance.
Still, despite the surprise nature of the visit, it doesn’t seem like there are any hard feelings. Vacchiano reports that any issues have been settled, as the two sides have since spoken. Daniels hasn’t taken the issue personally, and the Commanders view the reported issue as “just noise” that won’t contribute to their eventual decision.
If Washington decides that Daniels is the answer moving forward, they will select him. And, based on a statement from one of Daniels’ representatives, he is “excited” to be in the NFL, regardless of wherever he gets drafted. Does this confirm or dispel rumors that he has a preference? No, but it likely provides assurance that he won’t force the issue later this month.
“ Based on reports that Daniels was caught off guard by this, they seemingly designed the group visit without informing the prospects that their competition would be in attendance.
Still, despite the surprise nature of the visit, it doesn’t seem like there are any hard feelings. ”
I actually think that was a brilliant move by the Commanders.
If you’re gonna let something like “competition” showing up rattle you…..welcome to the NFL there’s always competition for your job. That’s definitely something to pay attention to. How do young players handle adversity, even as little as you’re in the same room with others who are aiming for this job show us why it should be you.
Yep, if something like that bothers them, TJ Watt trying to end their lives will probably also rattle them.
The Commanders need Jayden Daniels more than he needs them. Quite frankly I’m surprised more players don’t make it known who they will and will not play for (like Eli and John Elway). What team wants a disgruntled QB?
Do they? Is there some guarantee that Daniels will be the saving grace for Washington?
Yep. The best examples of this ended up being Hall of Famers. Players get doomed going to terrible organizations like this. Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson might have different careers had they told the Jets thanks but no thanks.
RG3 refused to visit the Colts when it was known they would go w/ Luck. No guarantee how a player will turn out.
So much of a young quarterback’s development is based on the team around them, or any QB for that matter. A team has to be ready and able to support a rookie QB, if they’re not, the chances of success are heavily lessened.
To Eli or not to Eli…
That is his question.
Otherwise, enjoy Landover, MD.
In Eli we trust.
“The Commanders view the reported issue as ‘just noise’ that won’t contribute to their eventual decision.” Then why did they pull a stunt that lumped all of their 30 visits into one noise-fest? All of this feels like speculation stacked on speculation and pitted against other speculation, and much of it has nothing to do with football.
Washington gotta be Washington. Amateur hour continues in our nation’s capital.
Not a fan of players whining about where / who they could be drafted. Somewhat of a crap shoot for teams drafting these guys so being chosen by any team should sit as a dream come true.
My position is “shut up and prove you belong” or go play baseball or better yet get a real job!
Real job? GTFO. I’ve done some pretty tough and crappy “real jobs” in my life. Farm work, manual labor in a hot as hell warehouse, among others. None of that compares to the physical beating NFL players go through. Strength training, football practices, and games. All with the very real possibility of CTE in later life. I’d say playing in the NFL is a “real job.”
Whatever is fair or not, the prospects still haven’t proven anything yet. I don’t mean that in the “he has to win a bunch of Superbowls or HE SUCKS!” way; I just mean that they haven’t shown anything yet to this point at all. If a player complains, rightfully or wrongfully, that he doesn’t want to go somewhere, and doesn’t play well, then that is all he would have accomplished. If he does play well, then that will be what he will likely be remembered for.
As for your personal experience, that’s all well and good, and I do agree that being an NFL player is a much more exclusive skillset. I also agree on the wisdom of not wanting a disgruntled player. I would have to also disagree with you that there are plenty of jobs that don’t pay near as well, many of which are much more unsettling, valuable, or hazardous than a relatively short NFL career. They get paid pretty well, so I certainly understand why someone wouldn’t be sympathetic to them having an issue with the opportunity to play.
At the end of the day, if it’s really so bad…well, it’s their choice to do it. I actually would like to see Daniels get his way and go to Vegas. I like the connection aspect of it, to be honest.
Disagree, as the benefits they recieve are equatable to the job and no real job provides those.
At the age these guys ‘play’ I’d of taken any of their jobs and not bitched.
Like they should care what you or anyone else thinks. You’re not fans of guys who get their careers ruined by terrible organizations either for sure.
Ups and downs – it’s part of life
Daniels has no viable path to the Raiders. The Commies picking him and trading him for a package of two future firsts and Davante Adams to the Raiders is the only hope.
Not even sure that is enough.
The artists formerly known as the Redskins are a mess. I remember thinking it was silly to host all those QBs at the same time.
I wonder if that homer clown RGIII still thinks Caleb should try to get to Washington? LOL
Kid, you’re about to get paid $40mm
Shut up and go where Goodell tells you
Why should he? Is he otherwise going to go undrafted and shut out of the league?
So many people on here dream of ruling over athletes with an iron fist.
Daniels is going to Washington no doubt. I’d take him number one personally over Williams but im no gm. But I think experts would definitely agree he’s at least the number two QB and the Commanders need a QB they aren’t trading out of that slot. No way a team like the Raiders could make an offer to move into the 2 slot
All of the QBs should be trying to avoid them considering that stunt. Maybe we see now why Ben Johnson withdrew from consideration with the “basketball guys.”