The Commanders have been riding a high. And Jayden Daniels is at the heart of it. Yet, it wasn’t just his gutsy playoff performance that stole the spotlight. Daniels’ influence goes far beyond the stat sheet. He is even reshaping the mindset of players around him. It seems the clutch throws didn’t just win the hearts of fans. But had deeper impacts, that are paving the path for a franchise resurgence.

The rookie quarterback has inspired veteran tight end Zach Ertz. Ertz opened up about his renewed passion appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on January 14. “Yes, I would love to play with Jaden for a long time,” Ertz shared enthusiastically. He credited Daniels and the supportive environment under Coach Dan Quinn for reinvigorating his career. Ertz now sees a longer road ahead without contemplations of hanging up his cleats.

“I don’t think this is my last year by any means,” Ertz said, underscoring Daniels’ impact. “I still feel like I have a lot of good football in front of me. Obviously there are things that are going to happen in terms of the business side… everyone knows how I feel about this place and the people here.” The young quarterback’s leadership and poise have given the Commanders a new lease on life. And a reason to keep going for Ertz.

The rookie’s uncanny maturity on the field is reshaping the franchise’s culture. Jayden Daniels led Washington to their first playoff win since 2005. And it came with a performance that felt straight out of a veteran’s playbook. He threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns. But it came with no turnovers, a feat that only added value to Daniels‘ stats. His late-game heroics included a critical third-and-two scramble. And it paved the way for Zane Gonzalez’s game-winning field goal.

Washington snapped a playoff drought that almost lasted for seven thousand days. But it wasn’t just about the win. Daniels showed he could thrive under pressure. As Ertz put it, “I wish I was 22 and just started my career to be able to play a really long time with this kid, but I’ve loved every minute of it.” That reflects the rookie’s influence on Ertz.

Daniels’ ability to rally his team in high-stakes moments hasn’t just energized Ertz. It’s given the entire Commanders’ locker room a belief they hadn’t felt in years. But it’s not just his own team. His on-field relics are catching the attention of the best out there. And this includes the Commanders’ rivals.

Dan Campbell on the ‘dangerous’ rookie QB

Lions head coach Dan Campbell didn’t hold back when discussing Jayden Daniels ahead of their divisional-round matchup. “We know we got our hands full,” Campbell admitted, highlighting the unique challenge posed by Daniels’ dual-threat capabilities.

Campbell’s respect was evident. But so was his confidence. “He may pop a run or two, but that doesn’t mean you win the game,” he quipped. The Lions’ 15-2 regular season speaks to their ability to handle adversity. But Daniels has defied expectations all year. However, the key lies in preparation for Campbell.

“[Aaron Glenn] is going to have a hell of a plan. Our guys are going to execute it,” Campbell said, placing trust in his defensive coordinator. Still, the rookie quarterback has proven he can outmaneuver even the best-laid plans. And Daniels’ numbers this season cement him as the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

He has over 3,800 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. He also banked 891 rushing yards. But most importantly, his leadership has changed the narrative in Washington. Daniels is building a legacy. Be it him inspiring a veteran like Ertz or earning the respect of opponents like Campbell. The Commanders face their toughest challenge yet with Detroit up next.

But if Daniels has shown anything, it’s that he thrives when the stakes are highest. The future is bright. And it all starts with their rookie quarterback for Washington.