Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has frequently drawn comparisons to Baltimore Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson during his career.
While Daniels may be flattered by those comparisons, he doesn’t believe they are warranted, as he explained ahead of his Week 6 matchup with the two-time MVP.
‘I don’t like when people try to compare me to Lamar,’ Daniels told reporters on Wednesday, per ESPN’s John Keim. ‘We’re two different players. I want to be known as Jayden Daniels and not the next such-and-such.’
Daniels acknowledged that he is a fan of Jackson’s and that the two share a mutual respect. Even so, the rookie believes that the two play the game very differently despite each having elite-level mobility and scrambling skills.
‘I like watching good quarterback play,’ Daniels said. ‘I’m a fan of his, and how he plays the game, how he approaches the game. But we’re two different quarterbacks, two different styles. I appreciate what he’s done for the sport and what he’s done for the African American quarterbacks.’
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Despite not loving being compared to other quarterbacks, Daniels is used to it. It happened frequently during the NFL draft process and has continued during his professional career, especially with his stats through five games looking remarkably similar to former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III’s during his rookie season in 2012.
That’s why Daniels is assessing the position with a wide scope as he looks to craft his own distinct playing style at the NFL level.
‘For me it’s just, go out there and try to be unique and try to be different from everybody,’ Daniels said. ‘Appreciate what they do because you can always learn from other quarterbacks in the league. I’m not closed-minded.’
So, while Daniels appreciates Jackson’s game, he isn’t specifically looking to model his own after the Ravens star.
Jackson acknowledged in a news conference of his own that he can appreciate Daniels’ approach to the position.
‘He’s his own player,’ Jackson told reporters. ‘He’s his own man. At the end of the day, we’re trying to make a name by ourself, not anyone else.’
