Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers were teammates at LSU before becoming division rivals in the NFL. Daniels was picked second overall by the Washington Commanders, while Nabers went sixth overall to the New York Giants. A year after getting drafted, where does their friendship stand now?
Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, Brothers for Life, Despite Being Division Rivals
Daniels broke several rookie records in 2024 and not only did he earn Rookie of the Year honors, but under his leadership, the Commanders made a remarkable turnaround, improving from a 4-13 record in 2023 to 12-5 in 2024. Nabers was equally impressive with 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns, but the Giants finished last in the NFC East with a 3-14 record.
However, despite the contrasting seasons for their respective teams, the brotherly bond between Daniels and Nabers is intact. The Giants receiver is proud of Daniels’ achievements and considers him as his leader.
“I know his work ethic, and I know the work he’s put into it and I know how much of a teammate he is,” Nabers said on “7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony.” “That’s still my brother for life. I’m not changing who I am just because I play on this team. It’s never going to happen. He’s like the ultimate leader that we follow because he’s older than us. He always set the example for us.”
MALIK NABERS. FUTURE WASHINGTON #COMMANDERS WR…?
“That's still my brother for life. I'm not changing who I am just because I play on this team. It's never going to happen. He's like the ultimate leader that we follow because he's older than us” – On JD5 pic.twitter.com/06QyHZyzU4
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 4, 2025
Nabers said similar things about the quarterback when the two were set to clash for the first time as pros in Week 2 of the 2024 season.
“Without him, I probably wouldn’t be here right now,” Nabers said. “So, having that guy as my quarterback, it took a lot of stress off me. I took a lot of stress off him, too, getting open. We’re in a different space right now, but it’s still the same game.”
Daniels shared the same feelings about Nabers and said they had built a brotherly bond at LSU, and it would remain the same in the NFL.
“It’s going to be special,” Daniels said. “That’s my brother. We built a very tight connection over these past two years at LSU. Communication, I mean, I talked to him last night, but I don’t see us talking that much this whole week until the game.”
Daniels and Nabers will continue to clash twice a year until the end of their rookie deals. Washington is unlikely to let go of their franchise quarterback, and if the Giants don’t grow enough to be a contender in the coming years, Nabers might change teams at the end of his rookie deal. If that does happen, he could be looking for a reunion with Daniels in Washington.
However, regardless of the teams they play for in the NFL, the brotherly bond between Daniels and Nabers will last a lifetime.