Jayden Daniels is making waves in his rookie season, quickly establishing himself as a rising star in the NFL.
Despite the Commanders’ 30-23 loss to the Ravens in Week 6, Daniels put up an impressive performance.
He completed 24 of 35 passes, throwing for two touchdowns without any interceptions, and added 22 rushing yards.
While it wasn’t enough to overcome two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, Daniels’ showing has certainly elevated the spirits of Commanders fans.
In light of Daniels’ promising start, former Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden took to social media, questioning whether Lions OC Ben Johnson might be regretting his decision to turn down the Commanders’ head coaching position earlier this year.
Gruden tweeted, “Anyone think Ben Johnson regrets turning down Redskins job? Even though they lost, Jayden is the man. Sorry. Commanders.”
The Commanders’ head coach search this offseason was extensive, with Johnson emerging as a top candidate following interviews.
At just 38, Johnson had built a strong reputation in Detroit and was sought after by multiple teams.
However, he ultimately chose to remain with the Lions rather than stepping into a head coaching role.
ESPN’s Jenna Laine provided some insight into Johnson’s decision, reporting that he was “turned off” by the Commanders’ ownership.
According to Laine, Johnson felt the owners, whom he described as “basketball guys,” were overly confident in their football opinions.
She also noted that there were suggestions Johnson “didn’t interview well,” indicating the fit wasn’t ideal for either party.
Given these reported circumstances, it seems unlikely that Johnson is second-guessing his decision.
The outcome of a hypothetical Johnson-led Commanders remains a matter of speculation. As it stands, both the Commanders and Johnson appear to be on their respective paths.
