The Washington Commanders are finally on the right track at the most important position in football. Jayden Daniels looks like a franchise quarterback – one who could potentially develop into an elite NFL superstar if his incredible start is any indication. It’s still early, but the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft has a chance to solve a complex mystery that initially stemmed from the team’s mismanagement of Kirk Cousins’ contract situation.

Cousins ​​was the franchise player in Washington despite being drafted much lower than Robert Griffin III. Signing him to a long-term contract seemed like a done deal, but previous owner Dan Snyder had other ideas. The organization ultimately gave him two consecutive franchise tags before allowing him to leave for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018.

This was incompetence of the highest order. Something that was further highlighted by former head coach Jay Gruden amid Cousins’ historic performance for the Atlanta Falcons to secure a dramatic triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Thursday night football. The signal caller threw for a franchise-record 509 yards and four touchdowns, adding his name to an exclusive group that has achieved this particular milestone.

The compensatory third-round pick was ultimately traded by Washington to the Buffalo Bills so they could draft Dawson Knox. With the two selections the powers that be received as part of the trade, they acquired running back Bryce Love and offensive lineman Wes Martin.

Love was injury-prone coming out of college and never played a regular season in Washington. Martin lasted three seasons in two different spells, starting ten games. Not exactly the best return for an emerging quarterback who had his best years ahead of him.

This was just one of many devastating decisions Washington made while the previous owner was in charge. What followed after Cousins ​​fled was a constant stream of failed quarterback moves, with everything from wayward free-agent signings, mid-level draft picks and a catastrophic trade for Carson Wentz blowing up in the team’s face. It was no surprise that the Commanders fell into football obscurity as a result.

These were crucial mistakes that new general manager Adam Peters did not intend to make. He had the No. 2 pick and turned down a number of trade offers from elsewhere to move down. The commanders had their eye on their man and were convinced that Daniels was the man to bring this legendary organization back to prominence. This, in turn, will allow the front office leader to bolster other parts of the depth chart with a gifted signal caller on a rookie deal to utilize.

We’re only a quarter into Washington’s 2024 regular season games. However, you can’t look at Daniels’ meteoric rise and historic start and think the Commanders don’t have something special on their hands. After years of bitter failure since Cousins’ departure, things are finally looking up.

No one looks back fondly unless fans look beyond the past twenty years. It’s time for this fan base to move forward with a sense of purpose and the belief that the Commanders can make a long-awaited return to the top of the NFL, with Daniels leading the way.

If that happens, Washington’s mishandling of Cousins’ contract will be a distant memory.

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