![Jayden Daniels]()
A No. 2 overall pick looking mature and polished beyond his years, lighting it up in the preseason on the road and inspiring an abundance of hope for a perpetually moribund NFL franchise? For the New York Jets, the prevailing, perhaps subconscious sentiment of watching
Jayden Daniels ball out at MetLife Stadium on Saturday had to be like holding a mirror up to their collective soul, to paraphrase a certain surprise cameo from
Deadpool & Wolverine.
This is hardcore bait for Washington Commanders and Gang Green supporters alike. Not to take a steamy dump on Washington's parade — though they deserve one for ridding themselves of disgraceful owner Dan Snyder — but let's all take a deep breath on Daniels' hot start.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1822304631655157770
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1822306810155717106
Look at all the positive feedback the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is already getting.
https://twitter.com/heykayadams/status/1822308721214497068
https://twitter.com/JPFinlayNBCS/status/1822306696053543391
https://twitter.com/Alex__Monaco/status/1822308083978424387
https://twitter.com/tjayjones8/status/1822315672665256085
https://twitter.com/playmakerTD/status/1822306986265895097
https://twitter.com/Gridiron_Media_/status/1822307212317827530
My lead-up into those Daniels highlights is meant to underscore just how meaningless the preseason is in the grand scheme of things. You just want your young lads to get reps in a live game situation. What happens therein doesn't really matter. Look no further than Zach Wilson. The Jets drafted him with the second pick in 2021, and boy oh boy, was the hype
so real during the NFL's exhibition phase.
In Week 2 of the 2021 preseason, Wilson marched into Lambeau Field, got to meet his childhood idol/
future teammate Aaron Rodgers, and promptly completed nine of 11 passes for 128 yards and two TDs. Lasers all over the yard. Looking off safeties. Young man was in his bag.
We legitimately had big-name media types out here acting like Wilson was Joe Namath 2.0, film dissections of his advanced processing, and data to suggest he'd be the Jets' present and future at the most important position in North American sports.
https://twitter.com/NYJetsTFMedia/status/1429205003714052099
https://twitter.com/ConnorJRogers/status/1429479169050693643
https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1429207076518117376
https://twitter.com/TJenkinsElite/status/1429458336819204106
https://twitter.com/PSchrags/status/1429227693489496066
That performance actually came after a stellar initial outing, where Wilson was sharp against the Giants in completing six of nine throws for 63 yards.
https://twitter.com/gmfb/status/1427232803729588224
Are you sweating yet, Commanders stans? LOL.
Obviously, I'm not saying that Jayden Daniels will be as bad as Zach Wilson. Just your annual reminder to chill out about the preseason. Football's back and we're all excited, but until Week 1 hits, let's try to keep the discourse
somewhat reasonable.
Gotta give Wilson's Week 2 rookie preseason TDs to Tyler Kroft the standalone treatment for added emphasis. Look at these dimes!!
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1429188708364861451
https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX/status/1429198037688090625
And one last message to Jayden Daniels: Bro, I don't care if Zach Wilson plays in Denver for the Broncos now. You can't have your mom out here in The House That Zach Built. Real ones
know what I'm talking about.
https://twitter.com/DCBarno/status/1822308066777342371
