The dreaded Sophomore Slump has bitten many a second-year star.
Last season, Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud struggled through Year 2. In recent seasons, other OROY winners have similarly taken a step back. Garrett Wilson, Ja'Marr Chase, Saquon Barkley and Dak Prescott, to name a few, each earned a statistical regression in their second season.
It's a list that Washington Commanders QB and reigning OROY Jayden Daniels is out to stay off.
"I'm sitting down and watching film and trying to eliminate some tendencies, as much as possible," Daniels told . "Talking to the coaching staff on areas that they feel like I need to improve on and having conversations so we can all hit at full speed."
In his first year, Daniels flipped the script for a franchise penciled in at the bottom of the division. Statistically, he finished with a 69 percent completion rate, 3,568 passing yards, a 25-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 100.1 passer rating. The dual-threat also earned 891 rushing yards, setting a rookie record for a QB, and six rushing scores.
For quarterbacks, the second-year slump can be a product of defensive coaches getting more film, taking away their tendencies, and forcing them to win with answers two and three. In some cases, the surroundings can bog down. We saw Stroud struggle due to a porous offensive line in an offense that ultimately got the coordinator fired.
In addition to eliminating personal tendencies, Daniels knows that to take a step forward, not back, in 2025, Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury will play a key role. The coordinator's job is to help make life easier for the young signal-caller, helping him find the right answers to the defensive adjustments he's sure to see.
Daniels said Kingsbury is egoless and does a great job ensuring the QB is comfortable with every call in the playbook.
"He wanted me to be as comfortable as possible," Daniels said. "We had conversations like, 'I didn't like this' or 'I don't like that.' He might have argued a little bit, but ultimately he wouldn't call a play that I wasn't comfortable with."
To help avoid a sophomore slump, the Commanders buffered their young signal-caller. They upgraded the offensive line, including trading for veteran stalwart Laremy Tunsil and selecting OT Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round of the 2025 国产外流网Draft. And Washington traded for multifunctional wideout Deebo Samuel to pair with Terry McLaurin.
On paper, the Commanders have the pieces for Daniels to avoid that second-year skid. We'll see if that holds this fall on the gridiron.
