Donald Trump heaps praise on Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels after monumental rookie season

Donald Trump praised Commanders owner Josh Harris for drafting quarterback Jayden Daniels during a visit where Harris presented the proposed site for the 2027 NFL Draft in front of the U.S. Capitol.

Donald Trump heaps praise on Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels after monumental rookie season

Donald Trump and Jayden Daniels (Image via IMAGO)

The Washington Commanders drafting Jayden Daniels at second overall in 2024 NFL Draft might end up being one of the best pieces of business in football history. Even the POTUS, Donald Trump, can attest to that.

The Commanders’ contingent, which included owner Josh Harris and the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, visited the White House on Monday (May 5). Harris honored Trump with a custom Commanders jersey. He even called the 78-year-old the ultimate commander.

Trump thanked Harris’s team for an improved 2024 campaign. He specifically praised second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Josh had a very good draft. A short while ago. You have a very good quarterback… Great quarterback, I think.

Donald Trump said

Donald Trump wanted Jayden Daniels to win the Rookie MVP trophy

Trump knows a thing or two about football. Back in the days, the former real estate mogul wanted to buy an NFL team. So, he understands how important it is to draft a good franchise quarterback.

Donald Trump heaps praise on Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels after monumental rookie season
Jayden Daniels (Image via IMAGO)

Daniels may not be in the same league as the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes just yet, but in Trump’s books, the LSU graduate is a special player.

The Heisman Trophy winner set the NFL on fire after leading the Commanders to a 12-5 finish in the regular season. They defeated the Buccaneers and Lions to set up an NFC title fixture against the Eagles.

Daniels wanted to make the club’s first championship game since the ‘90s count. However, the Eagles rioted to a 55-23 victory. He ended the rookie year with 331 completions for 3568 yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, along with 148 carries for 891 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns.

Washington’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, revealed that President-elect Trump (he took the oath on January 20, 2025) was a fan of Daniels.

[Donald Trump] was well aware of Jayden Daniels and why he should be the rookie of the year and possibly the MVP.

Muriel Bowser said via Commanders’ Wire

Daniels won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and was shortlisted for the league MVP trophy as well, which eventually went to Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Harris presented a rendition of the 2027 NFL draft site to Donald Trump

Earlier on Monday, ESPN’s John Keim reported that the 2027 NFL draft will take place on the National Mall, where the Washington Monument stands. Shortly after, Harris and his crew presented the plans for the draft site to Trump in the Oval Office.

Harris and Goodell are expecting over one million attendees for the 2027 event. The draft in Green Bay was historic. Both day one and day two set viewing records, and the league wants to capitalize on it by organizing the draft ceremony right in front of the Capitol building.

To host the NFL draft in 2027, on the mall, I believe we’ll get over a million people, and it’s going to be an amazing day, and it will showcase what Washington is all about.

Josh Harris said

The news comes after Harris announced plans to build a new stadium on the grounds where RFK Stadium once stood. The Washington Football Club last played at the RFK Stadium in 1996 before moving to FedEx Field the following year.

It was still called the Redskins, and Trump even urged Harris to revert back to that name.

The Redskins perhaps that’s a little different but I can tell you I spoke to people of Indian heritage and they love that name and they love that team. And I think it’s a much superior name to what they have right now. And it had heritage behind it, it had something special.

Donald Trump said last month

Previous owner Dan Snyder changed the name from Redskins to the Commanders after backlash from the majority of the fan base because they thought it sounded derogatory to the Native Americans.

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