Hey, Jayden Daniels. You don’t have to stand on the goal line, exhorting the Northwest Stadium crowd to get to its feet. The fans are there with you. You’ve got them wrapped around your finger. You earned it. Fire them up by thrusting your arms in the air? They’re fired up already, brother. For Sunday. And for the future.

Jayden Daniels has been one of the most successful rookies in the NFL after he was selected by the Washington Commanders with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner watched another member of Washington’s rookie class, Luke McCaffrey, cap his impressive kick-returning work with a 29-yard jolt. As the offense ran onto the field, doubt kept its distance from Daniels’ surrogate big brother.