How Jayden Daniels Kicked Tom Brady (And Mac Jones) From NFL Record Book
New England Patriots fans already probably feel a little uneasy watching quarterback Jayden Daniels thrive for the Washington Commanders in his rookie season.
So, it's only fitting that Daniels' latest performance saw him knock two former Patriots quarterbacks -- Tom Brady and Mac Jones -- from the NFL record book.
Daniels completed 26 of 30 passes for 233 yards with one touchdown and one interception Sunday as the Commanders steamrolled the Arizona Cardinals 42-14. The 23-year-old has a completion percentage of 82.1 through four weeks of the 2024 NFL season, which is remarkable for any QB, let alone a first-year signal-caller.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner just surpassed Brady (79.2% in 2007) for the highest completion percentage (minimum 75 attempts) by a player in his team's first four games of a season in NFL history. Additionally, Daniels surpassed Jones (70% in 2021) for the highest completion percentage (minimum 80 attempts) by a player in his first four career games in NFL history.
Sprinkle in Washington's team success (3-1 and first place in the NFC East) plus Daniels' rushing prowess (218 yards and four TDs) and it's hard to view the LSU product as anything but a superstar in the making.
This can't sit well with Patriots fans, who saw the Commanders land Daniels with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, one pick before New England chose quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye ultimately could be a superstar in his own right. We simply don't know -- the Patriots continue to roll with veteran Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback -- and might not know for a while given the normal trajectory of young QBs.