The closer we get to the NFL Draft, the more it is starting to look like we are close to finding out where Jayden Daniels will land.
The Washington Commanders had their pick of the litter in selecting the second quarterback in this year’s draft. The Commanders hosted an unconventional four-quarterback visit with Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and Jayden Daniels.
All signs seem to be pointing towards the Commanders going with Jayden Daniels, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is stating otherwise.
The NFL insider suggested that Daniels does not want to play for the Commanders.
“I’m going to get drafted by one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL over the last quarter century, they got new management. Why should I want to play here?”
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk believes that LSU QB Jayden Daniels does NOT want to play for the #Commanders:
“I’m going to get drafted by one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL over the last quarter century, they got new management. Why should I want to play here?” pic.twitter.com/glleOxrFTX
— brandon (@DrakeMayeMVP) April 19, 2024
Daniels’ agent, Ron Butler, then reportedly leaked out to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that Jayden Daniels “is scheduled to have dinner tonight with Vikings brass in Baton Rouge.” This is incredibly huge news since Butler had previously prevented the Vikings from meeting with Daniels, so clearly, something has changed.
“It’s a mistake,” Florio said of the Commanders’ treatment of Daniels. “Ron Butler tells NFL Media today’s the day there’s a private workout in Baton Rouge for Jayden Daniels with the Minnesota Vikings. I’ve been saying for weeks: if I’m one of these guys, where do I want to go? I want to go play for Kevin O’Connell, who is definitely going to get me to my ceiling.”
Butler even dropped a thinking emoji on what Florio stated, which led to even more speculation that Daniels did not want to play for the Commanders.
— Ron Butler (@Agentbutler1) April 18, 2024
Additionally, he also liked a pair of tweets that called out the quad-quarterback meeting.
The week leading up to the Draft is my favorite week of the year.
Today’s buzz around the league is about a top QB prospect’s agent commenting with a 🤔on a Mike Florio/Chris Simms clip on Twitter.
What’s that mean?
Can’t make this stuff up. And it’s why it’s the best.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 18, 2024
Adam Schefter would go on to confirm everyone’s suspicion, reporting that Daniels’ reps were not pleased with the “opened up” process of having him meet the team at the same time as Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and numerous other top 2024 prospects. According to Schefter, Daniels and his people were expecting a private meeting with the Commanders.
Schefter on Jayden Daniels visit with WAS "It didn't seem to go over too well with his agent who sounded off on social media that he didn't seem particularly pleased with the process. Daniels thought it would be a visit for just him, but WAS essentially opened up the process." pic.twitter.com/Y69c7pFcUN
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 19, 2024
Jayden Daniels May Not Want To Play For The Commanders But They Could Still Draft Him
Jayden Daniels (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Athletes have attempted to extort themselves from teams in the past. Eli Manning, who was selected by the Chargers in the 2004 draft, is the most famous example. The Giants ended up giving the No. 4 pick and three additional draft picks to the Chargers in order to obtain Manning because he refused to play for San Diego. It worked out for Manning as he would go on to deliver two Super Bowl titles, via Wikipedia.com.
There is now speculation that Jayden Daniels does not want to play for the Commanders, but he ultimately will have no choice in the matter.
Ultimately, if the Commanders decide to select him, there is nothing Daniels camp can do to stop it.
