Former Washington GM/HC Ron Rivera spoke highly of Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels.
“This is a quarterback-driven league”, said Rivera. “If you have a quarterback, you have a chance to be good.”
No question, Rivera is correct. However, he then stated, “…With great quarterbacks, you are here at the Super Bowl, and that’s what we’re seeing. We’re seeing the two best quarterbacks in the NFL right now. Although I will say, Jayden Daniels, what a phenomenal performance by a rookie.”
Jalen Hurts is one of the two best quarterbacks in the NFL right now? Not sure where Rivera came up with that evaluation. Has any other NFL coach or analyst stated this?
Rivera, in his last season with Washington, went 4-13. He said that during the season, he and Marty Hurney had discussions about Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye as draft possibilities.
However, owner Josh Harris fired Rivera after the season, replacing him with Adam Peters as GM and Dan Quinn as HC.
Unlike former owner Daniel Snyder, who reportedly hated seeing the Commanders’ successful season, Rivera said, “I was fired up.” He elaborated a bit, saying that Dan Quinn is a friend, and they talked. “I am happy where they are.”
Rivera also mentioned that Quinn, being a friend, had said, “We got to give Coach Rivera credit for doing what he did, putting us in this position.” Rivera said, “That was great; that really meant a lot to me. And it spoke of who Dan is as a man.”
It speaks quite highly of Quinn, who was taking the high road.
Isn’t it true that the team was so bad in 2023 that they earned the second overall draft selection?
Quinn was right; Rivera did put the Commanders in a position to select Jayden Daniels.