In a world of instant gratification and recency bias, it’s no surprise that the worldwide leader in the latter would advocate for a player to win MVP after one amazing play. On ESPN’s version of Good Morning America (Get Up), former NFL cornerback Domonique Foxworth made Jayden Daniels MVP case for the Washington Commanders QB’s performance so far this season.

“I’ve been waiting for somebody to make an argument to change my mind….You normally protect rookie quarterbacks. And rookie quarterbacks who have good seasons are quarterbacks that you don’t ask much from. They’re asking everything from him.”

In his rant, it sounds like Foxworth also praises Daniels for the defense playing better than expected. What isn’t mentioned, is the real reason that analysts starved for clicks would pick Daniels, and it’s because he had a highlight recently. ESPN has built an empire on the idea that the last five minutes in sports should determine how the world rotates.

The Verdict On The Jayden Daniels MVP Case

Without a desperate need for attention, and keeping reality glasses firmly on, it’s easy to see that Jayden Daniels is not only NOT the MVP at the midway point of the season, he’s not even the quarterback of the year. His stats are decent, but not overly impressive if being a rookie isn’t factored in (and it shouldn’t be). He is completing 71.8% of his passes this season, for 217 tards per game, and seven touchdowns to two interceptions.

His season is extremely comparable to that of the Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. The Vikings are another team coming off a bad year, expected to have a worse year, but surprising even the most seasoned experts. Darnold’s play is the big reason for that. He’s completing 67.2% of his passes for 230 yards per game, and has 14 touchdowns to just five interceptions. The only difference between he and Daniels, is Darnold did not have a Hail Mary pass a few days ago.

Somebody really trying to make a case for Daniels could point out his dual-threat ability. He has 74 carries this season for 424 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and 4 touchdowns. His 6-2 record is barely the width of a hair better than Lamar Jackson’s 5-3, and Jackson is a better dual threat quarterback than Daniels.

On the season, Lamar is completing 66.9% of his passes for 262.4 yards per game, and his usually impressive touchdown to interception ratio (17:2). Jackson has added 501 yards rushing, on 81 carries (6.2 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. An argument could be made that Derrick Henry’s ageless performance this year detracts from Jackson’s success, but then that same argument would have to made of Terry McLaurin to Daniels.

Listing the play of all the quarterbacks so far this season, and Daniels would likely find himself behind Jackson, Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Allen in any realistic MVP conversation. That’s not to detract from what he has done this year. He’s been fantastic, and deserves recognition. He’s just not an MVP, and he will only be one in the eyes of Foxworth, who will change his pick after someone else has a Top-10 play this weekend.

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