Commanders WR Jahan Dotson on QB Jayden Daniels: 'That's the quarterback that I wanted'

In just two NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders, wide receiver Jahan Dotson has dealt with three starting quarterbacks.

He believes his fourth — No. 5 — will be worth the wait.

Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who will don the No. 5 jersey likely as Dotson’s newest QB1, is just who the third-year wideout was hoping to be catching passes from in 2024.

“He’s great,” Dotson told reporters on Tuesday. “I don’t know if I can say this, but that’s the quarterback that I wanted. But yeah, I was happy when we drafted him, I’m really looking forward to building a relationship with him, furthering our relationship, as I’ve known him in the past, but he’s been good so far. He’s only been here a couple days now, but he has big things coming for him.”

Following the Chicago Bears’ selection of Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall, the Commanders could’ve taken any quarterback they wanted amid a record run of six QBs in the draft’s initial 12 picks. They went with Dotson’s top choice.

Dotson, taken 16th overall by the Commanders in the 2022 draft, has seen quarterbacks Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell start under center, with Jacoby Brissett getting ample playing time last year, as well. None of the four remain on the Washington roster.

Fresh off winning a Heisman Trophy during his final season at LSU, Daniels will find a familiar target in Dotson. A transfer from Arizona State, Daniels, 23, worked out with Dotson, 24, years ago.

“I’ve known him since I was coming out in the draft,” Dotson said. “We were training together before he transferred to LSU, when we were down in Arizona. So, we built a little relationship there, and then I kept up with him while he was at LSU. Obviously, he was the best player in college football last year, so yeah, it was really cool that we got to team up and go at it this year.”

Dotson’s ready to build upon whatever chemistry already exists with Daniels.

“I would say building a relationship outside of the football field,” Dotson answered when asked what the quickest way was to build a relationship with is QB. “Getting to know each other, getting to know what your quarterback likes to do and then just talking through things in the film room. But I feel like the ultimate thing that will get us clicking the fastest is reps, reps out on the field is probably the best way that we’re going to build a connection.”

A Penn State product, Dotson’s rookie campaign of 2022 was highlighted by seven touchdowns to go with 35 receptions for 523 yards. His second season, by comparison, was a disappointment. He had five fewer yards and three few TD catches on 49 receptions. He’s aiming for bigger and better in 2024 and believes Daniels is the right man for him to do a bigger and better job.

“Yeah, I wasn’t a fan of my season last year, so I went really hard at it this offseason, making sure that I’m better than I was last year, a lot better, because I have really high expectations for myself and I hold myself to a very high standard,” Dotson said. “So, I’ve been at it since about February, so I’m really excited, I come in every day and just try to put the work in so that I can reap the benefits.”

Daniels has a bona fide WR1 in Terry McLaurin, but if Dotson can find his first-round form with his new and sought-after signal-caller, both will reap those aforementioned benefits.

Said Dotson: “I’m starting to feel like I’m getting my swagger back a little bit, so I’m getting really excited.”