Quinn: Commanders want Daniels to 'remain a passer 1st'

Although quarterback Jayden Daniels impressed with his legs in his debut Sunday, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn wants to see the rookie do more as a passer.

"We'd love to see him remain a passer first," Quinn said Monday. "I think it's going to come with more experience, honestly. When I can go extend it to throw it, when, 'Hey, this plays over, I'll get rid of it and move on to the next play.' So, I think you'll see that trajectory continue as we go."

Daniels had 16 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns in Washington's 37-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He recorded 24 pass attempts for 184 yards and no touchdowns.

"Certainly, (16) carries is not the model that we're looking for, certainly with Brian (Robinson) and Austin (Ekeler) and others here," Quinn added. "But at the end of it, I do think we'll continue to grow in that spot. But certainly not by design to have that many."

Robinson carried the ball 12 times for 40 yards and one touchdown. Ekeler had only two rushing attempts.

Daniels recorded the second-most rushing yards in a quarterback's NFL debut since 1950, according to ESPN's Eric N. Moody. He's also the first QB ever to rush for at least 80 yards and two TDs in their first game, Moody adds.

Daniels was one of three rookie passers who started Sunday, along with Caleb Williams and Bo Nix. The No. 2 overall pick led all first-year QBs in EPA/play.

The Commanders host the New York Giants in Week 2.