Following what was statistically one of the greatest seasons by a rookie quarterback the NFL has ever seen, expectations are sky-high for Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. But what usually follows a breakout rookie year in pro sports is something known as the “sophomore slump.”
Many in the football world, including former Rookie of the Year Cam Newton, believe Daniels could be the next NFL star to face a second-year regression. Newton cited the story of former Washington QB and ROTY Robert Griffin as one of his reasons for his apprehension, but Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant believes Daniels is here to stay for a long time.
Dez Bryant Explains Why Jayden Daniels’ Story Is Different From Robert Griffin’s
Both Griffin and Daniels were taken No. 2 overall by Washington, produced a stellar season for the team, and went on to win Rookie of the Year awards. While Daniels’ season was comparatively better, given that he ended the Commanders’ decades-long NFC appearance drought, Newton claimed RG3 as a rookie was better.
“There’s nobody who had the game and the chokehold like Robert Griffin III. I have to tip my hat to him. So, I see that same thing happening with Jayden,” he said.
However, Bryant disagreed and suggested that while Griffin relied on his supreme athletic ability, Daniels’ blue chip was reading the defense.
“Jayden Daniels is here to stay,” Bryant declared. “Nothing about how he plays the game of football shows he’s a one-hit wonder. Out of all athletic dual-threat QBs who have played the game, Jayden Daniels reads the defense the best…He doesn’t rely on his athletic ability, and that’s what makes him dangerous…”
Jayden Daniels is here to stay. Nothing about how he plays the game of football shows he’s a one hit wonder. Out of all athletic dual threat QBs who have played the game, Jayden Daniels reads the defense the best…He doesn’t rely on his athletic ability, and that’s what makes him… https://t.co/KFgDciyFPd
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) July 5, 2025
Bryant is right in his assessment that Daniels relies more on his ability to read the defenses and less on his athletic traits. He didn’t have a lot of weight last season and still managed to excel. For the next season, he has not only bulked up but has also been spending a lot of time with head coach Dan Quinn to understand how the defenses are going to counter him and improve accordingly.
It’s also worth noting that today’s Washington team differs significantly from the one in 2013, which Griffin described as dysfunctional. He said their struggles stemmed from a lack of cohesion within the team and the front office, whereas Washington’s current leadership is unified.
“But we won the division the first year, so no one knew. Then, the next year, we went 4-12, and it was because we didn’t have camaraderie and a united vision,” he said on an episode of “Something’s Burning.” “Jayden comes in, and he’s got a new owner, a new GM, a new head coach, and a new OC, and all of them are on the same page.”
While Griffin could never replicate his rookie success, the overwhelming majority thinks Daniels’ career will not take a similar path. The Commanders have been quite active this offseason to upgrade Daniels’ weapons, and the hopes of a championship run are at an all-time high in Washington.
