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Commanders’ Jayden Daniels receives shoutout from the NFL commissioner

The Washington Commanders' success story has been accelerated by the addition of having the right people in the right positions.
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels reacts after being selected by the Washington Commanders as the No. 2 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels reacts after being selected by the Washington Commanders as the No. 2 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The Washington Commanders went from the basement of the NFL to the penthouse rather quickly.

As one of the final four teams remaining in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy last season, the Commanders joined the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles as the last teams left standing before the Super Bowl.

Of course, Washington still left the season disappointed after falling just two wins shy of the franchise's fourth Super Bowl championship, but there's still no denying how amazing the rise has been for the once-beleaguered organization.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

"Jayden helps," quipped NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when commenting on the meteoric rise the Commanders have experienced under new managing partner Josh Harris.

Speaking at the press conference to announce a new deal between the franchise and the city of Washington D.C. to return the team's playing arena to the capital, Goodell commented further on the recent turn of success the new leadership group has helped usher in.

"I would say that the league view is incredibly positive," Goodell said of Washington. "One, Josh coming in, and I think making a commitment to this franchise that they were going to be one that this community would be proud of. Obviously, every owner that comes in hopes to have the winning tradition reestablished quickly. I think Josh may have been ahead of his timetable a little bit."

Harris interjected that having a good general manager and head coach helps, leading to Goodell's quip about Daniels.

Things are good for the Commanders these days, and it is true that Daniels helps. Harris is right as well that general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn certainly deserve their share of credit, as does the managing partner himself.

Seems that 'doing hard (stuff) with good people' is the right approach after all.


READ MORE: Sports Illustrated grades for the Commanders' 2025 NFL Draft class

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 offseason.

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David Harrison
DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has covered the NFL since 2015 as a digital content creator in both written and audio media. He is the host of Locked On Commanders and a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. His previous career was as a Military Working Dog Handler for the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.

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