Quarterback Jayden Daniels is one of the best young QBs in the NFL. After getting drafted with the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft behind QB Caleb Williams, Daniels emerged as not only one of the best young QBs in the league but one of the best QBs in general. His outstanding play led the Washington Commanders to a surprising run to the NFC Championship Game.
With his rookie season behind him, Daniels is showing off his off-the-field hobbies and interests, including his love for basketball, the Los Angeles Lakers, and Kobe Bryant.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Shows Off His New Kobe Bryant Card
Daniels did a lot of winning on the field this season. However, when he made a post on his Instagram story on Saturday, Feb. 22, it was to celebrate something off the field.
He shared an image of a Bryant rookie card from 1996. The card has a mint rating of PSA 9, which means it is a nearly perfect card. According to Sports Card Investor, this card is usually worth around $100 to $150.
Bryant was one of the most legendary basketball players in the history of the NBA. He is widely viewed as one of the 10 best players in history. In his career from 1996 to 2016, he won five NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVPs, one NBA MVP, and was named to an All-NBA team 15 times. Sadly, he passed away in 2020 at the age of 41 in a helicopter accident that also claimed the life of his daughter Gianna. Nine people in total died in the accident.
Daniels Looks To Improve in His Sophomore Season
After a strong rookie season where he completed 331 of 480 passing attempts for 3,568 yards and 25 TDs in the regular season, Daniels will be looking to avoid a sophomore slump. In three playoff games, he completed 75 of 114 passing attempts for 822 yards and five TDs. He recorded a PFSN QB+ grade of 85.3 (ninth in the NFL).
SEE MORE: Lakers Fan Jayden Daniels Makes Feelings Known on Shocking Luka Dončić Trade
After his stellar season, he is viewed similarly to how Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud was viewed after his rookie season in 2023. Stroud was talked about as an MVP candidate in the NFL after his rookie year, but he hit a sophomore slump in Year 2. He was still a good QB, but his QB+ dropped to 67.8 (27th) after having a rookie season QB+ of 81.8 (eighth).
Daniels will be looking to avoid a similar sophomore slump. To do so, the Commanders need to recognize that their team may have overachieved in the playoffs and address the roster holes before they catch up to them. One area they could improve is by adding offensive weapons to help Daniels next season.