This Sunday, the New York Giants and Washington Commanders will face off down in the Nation’s capital in a matchup of two 0-1 clubs.
There will be a lot of backstories to chat about in this old rivalry, which began in 1932, but there’s a new one this time around.
The Commanders’ first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Giants’ first-round pick, LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, are close friends. And they’ll be meeting again as pros in just their second game as one.
Nabers spoke about his relationship with his friend and former teammate to reporters on Thursday.
“Without him, I probably wouldn’t be here right now, so having that guy as my quarterback, it took a lot of stress off me, so I took a lot of stress off him too getting open. But we’re in a different space right now, but it’s still the same game,” he said.
Last season at LSU, Daniels led the Nation in touchdown passes with 40. Nabers was on the other end of 14 of those strikes. On Sunday, it will feel strange for both players, but Nabers understands the reality they are now in.
“It’s the same football game. It’s just we’re on different teams,” he said. “The relationship is still a brotherly relationship, so what we do is what our job is, but we’ve got a different relationship off the field.”
Nabers said he and Daniel spoke this week.
“We talk about the game, just talk about just football, but like I said, we’ve got a relationship off the field, so it’s like we’re going to talk smack when we play on the field, but off the field, it’s a brotherly relationship,” he said.
Nabers has the utmost respect for his friend. He knows firsthand how dynamic he can be. In his NFL debut last week against Tampa Bay, Daniels rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns while completing 17 of 24 passes for 184 more yards.
“He’s a smart quarterback, a great team leader. His running ability is great, arm talent is crazy, so I’m excited to see what he does this week,” Nabers said.
That didn’t preclude Nabers from providing his new teammates with some intel on Daniels. After all, business is business.
“That’s something that you’ve got to share when you’re going against your old teammate, but any way to get the win,” he said.
Sunday should be a fun watch. Too bad most of the country won’t see it.
