Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has helped turn around the franchise and seems poised to win the NFL‘s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, what is Daniels’ contract, salary, and net worth?
Jayden Daniels’ Contract and Salary
Daniels’ four-year rookie contract is worth $37.75 million and includes a $24.3 million signing bonus. The deal is fully guaranteed, with an average annual value of $9.4 million. The contract features a fifth-year team option for the 2028 campaign.
For reference, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and he signed a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $39 million, with a $25.5 million signing bonus.
Quarterbacks on their rookie deal are widely regarded as the biggest bargains in all of professional sports, especially when a team finds a stud like Daniels.
For comparison, Daniels is making less annually than Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew ($12.5 million) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young ($9.48 million). He’s earning slightly more than backups like Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson ($8.78 million) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance ($8.5 million).
Daniels’ Net Worth
Even before entering the NFL, Daniels was making great money at the collegiate level. He was one of the nation’s top NIL earners according to On3’s NIL valuation, bringing in an impressive $2.2 million annually.
While at LSU, Daniels had deals with companies such as Raising Cane’s, Beats by Dre, Urban Outfitters, HEYDUDE, Powerade, and Fry’s Food Stores. And thanks to a partnership with Jones Auto Center, he also secured a 2020 Ford Mustang GT.
Since entering the NFL, Daniels inked an agreement with Nike, and he has also done endorsement deals with NextGenCamps, Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, and The Athletic Collection among others.
Daniels’ net worth is currently estimated to be around $2 million, and that figure will surely increase as his NFL career continues.
Daniels has a bright future ahead of him, and given the state of the quarterback market in the NFL, his earning potential is through the roof.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Commanders Game Preview
- Location: Tampa, Raymond James Stadium
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBC/Peacock
Now, Daniels will try to lead the Commanders to victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round.
The Commanders finished the season with the sixth-lowest turnover rate in the league, which puts the offense in a position to succeed as often as any. This fuels their fourth-place ranking in points per drive.
Daniels is already one of the elite dual-threat quarterbacks after one season. His scrambling has led to a ridiculous 56.0 EPA, while no other QB has more than 35.7 EPA on scrambles this year.
The Buccaneers had to sweat it out, but they got everything they could have hoped for in Week 18. The Bucs clinched the NFC South and got Mike Evans his record-tying 11th straight 1,000-yard receiving season.
The offense certainly earned the right to play postseason football. Baker Mayfield had a career year, joining Tom Brady as the only two players in franchise history with 40 passing touchdowns in a season. That allowed Tampa to post a top-five ranking in both EPA per rush and pass success rate.
On the season as a whole, the Commanders’ offensive line has done a good job in pass protection, given just how long Daniels holds the ball (3.01 seconds; seventh). Whether it’s in the face of the blitz or not, Daniels is in the top 10 for both in terms of time to throw (or be sacked).
The Buccaneers’ offensive line has undeniably been one of the most improved units in the NFL this season. They have been the NFL’s second-best unit over the past four weeks, including three games graded as B- or above.
Tampa Bay’s pressure rate (24.4%) is the lowest in the league, and they have impressive numbers whether facing the blitz or not.
The Commanders were a below-average defense for most of the season, which their final Defense+ ranking reflects (17th overall, Grade: C). Ultimately, Washington’s performance was largely fairly consistent based on their level of competition.
For the season, the Commanders ranked 24th in defensive EPA per dropback, the third-lowest among the 14 playoff teams.
Quietly, the Buccaneers defense has improved since returning from their bye in Week 12. A soft schedule helped, but the Bucs rank third in EPA per play, first in third-down defense, and fourth in red-zone defense over that span.
A Wild Card matchup against the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year will be a bigger test. However, the Bucs did hand Daniels and Co. a convincing defeat in Week 1.