Washington head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters began this 2024 training camp with a press conference, and sure enough, the first question was about Jayden Daniels starting at quarterback.
Quinn’s response was fresh, authentic, and true. There was no need to try to fool everyone into thinking this was a dead-even competition.
“It’s not a secret, but it is a journey and a process,” began Quinn. “So, as we are going, when he is ready, we’ll know. When he’s ready, he’ll also know.”
Translation: What we saw in the offseason trends toward Jayden starting this year. But there are some things we need him to learn and experience at a faster level. Sure, it will be clear to all involved when Jayden is ready to start.
“But as far as the reps go with he and Marcus (Mariota) there will be certain days that will feature more of one than the other,” Quinn said. “Through practices, scrimmages and preseason games, that is where the journey will take us.”
Translation: Both guys need to take some No. 1 reps. We also realize we haven’t yet had any contact, scrimmaging, or preseason games. So, let’s permit Jayden to get some of that under his belt, shall we?
“Not trying to hold back the info, but when we know, we will say it,” Quinn said honestly.
Translation: There is no even competition at this point. Bear with us; we just need to see him in action against other teams first. Then, we will announce Jayden as the starter later in the preseason.
On day one, Quinn was clear there was not going to be a quarterback controversy. Quinn and OC Kliff Kingsbury simply find it wiser to permit Daniels to experience more and learn more. In time, the receivers, offensive line and skill position players will all come to the same conclusion during this preseason.
Peters simply chose to echo Quinn: “My experience with young quarterbacks is like DQ said, ‘Not one size fits all.’ I think everybody can see when that is happening, when they know, the team knows, the coaches know. You don’t want to fast-track it, you don’t want to slow it down. Let it happen naturally.”
