It’s not every day a quarterback—let alone a rookie—is compared to the most electrifying player in the league, Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens star quarterback is in the middle of another MVP-caliber campaign, but according to former Super Bowl winner Bryant McFadden, Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels looks like he’s next in line for Lamar’s mantle.
Daniels has lit up the NFL in his first season, putting himself in position to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. His latest feat—a five-touchdown performance in a comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles—further cemented his status as one of the league’s most dynamic young quarterbacks.
Naturally, his dual-threat ability has drawn comparisons to Jackson, who revolutionized the position with his rare blend of arm talent and rushing dominance.
McFadden, now a CBS Sports analyst, didn’t hold back in his praise for Daniels, calling him the “JV Lamar Jackson” with the potential to become the “varsity version” in the future.
Super Bowl champion Bryant McFadden heaps praise on Jayden Daniels
“Jayden Daniels is the JV Lamar Jackson. Lamar is the varsity guy. Jayden Daniels is the guy, right now, watching Lamar on Fridays,” McFadden said. “You look at his style of play, how he’s doing things, at such an early part in his career… As he continues to grow in the National Football League, he is Lamar Jackson but the JV version. And eventually, he will become that varsity version—and you better look out, NFC East.”
"Jayden Daniels is the JV Lamar Jackson."@BMac_SportsTalk pic.twitter.com/xm26EnQF0D
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 23, 2024
McFadden’s comments highlight just how much Jackson has redefined what an elite quarterback looks like in today’s NFL. Before Lamar, a player with Daniels’ skillset might have been overlooked or pigeonholed into a different role. But Jackson’s MVP season in 2019, combined with his continued excellence, has paved the way for quarterbacks like Daniels to thrive.
For Ravens fans, comparisons like this are less about Daniels and more about Jackson’s influence on the game. Lamar didn’t just make dual-threat quarterbacks acceptable—he made them desirable.
His ability to dominate both through the air and on the ground has forced the NFL to evolve, and players like Daniels are proof of his legacy.
That’s not to say Daniels is ready to fill Jackson’s shoes.
While the rookie has shown flashes of brilliance, Lamar’s resume includes two MVP awards, multiple playoff appearances, and consistent statistical dominance year after year. Daniels has the ability to emulate Jackson’s achievements, but he still has a long way to go to equal what the Ravens star has accomplished thus far and how much further he will go.
The league is entering a golden age of quarterbacks, and Lamar Jackson is still at the forefront of the conversation. Comparisons like this don’t diminish his greatness—they emphasize it. Daniels may be the next big thing, but for now, the throne belongs to Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens quarterback isn’t just setting the standard—he’s building the blueprint for the future of the NFL. And as Daniels continues his rise, it’s a testament to the player who paved the way.