A brief trip to maps reveals that the driving distance between the Washington Commanders' BigBear.ai Performance Center and the Baltimore Ravens' Under Armour Performance Center is a little over 70 miles. That places them roughly an hour apart.
The Commanders and Ravens are in two different conversations as organizations. Washington is still trying to figure things out. Baltimore is a Super Bowl contender. Knowing that, it's fair to say there's some distance between the two organizations. They'll share the field for a final preseason hurdle before the games count for real. Neither starting quarterback will play, but here's an interesting nugget about them. They may be separated by distance, alma maters, and current affiliations, but they're alike in more ways than one. Both are Heisman Trophy winners, and off the field, they're close. There's a bond, and after joint practices between their respective teams ahead of the finale, both spoke about it.
Jayden Daniels compliments the two-time NFL MVP.Settle in, everyone. As always, it seems it took forever for the NFL season to arrive, but we're here now. Expect to hear from each team's starting quarterback in a weekly media session.
The Commanders were the hosts. Jayden Daniels was allowed some time to speak to the local media. Naturally, he was asked about his good friend Lamar Jackson.
Jayden Daniels on Lamar Jackson:
“That’s my guy… What he’s accomplished in the league is second to none. A lot of respect for Lamar and what he’s done.” pic.twitter.com/OusLfiAHFa
Both Jackson and Daniels are in the same boat. Both missed time with injuries last season. Neither was fully healthy when they did play. That said, both are looking for bounce-back campaigns. Meanwhile, when Lamar Jackson was given his time at the podium, kind words from the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year were returned by the two-time MVP.
Lamar Jackson on his thoughts on Jayden Daniels’ game:
“Tremendous. Same thing, you know, he can do it all. Make any throw, run with the best of them, make guys miss, get down the field, put his team in great positions to win…” pic.twitter.com/bJZPniNitZ
For Jackson, the admiration wasn't rooted in friendship alone. He sees many of the same traits in Daniels that helped make him one of the NFL's most difficult players to defend. It's easy to understand why the comparison exists. Both quarterbacks stress defenses in ways that don't show up on a stat sheet. Defensive coordinators can spend an entire week crafting a game plan, only to watch it unravel when either player escapes the pocket and turns a broken play into a highlight.
The NFL has always been driven by quarterback play, but the position continues to evolve. Jackson helped redefine what a franchise quarterback could look like when he entered the league. Daniels represents the next generation of that same mold. He's a player capable of winning from the pocket while still possessing game-changing athleticism.
The Ravens and Commanders may occupy different places in the NFL landscape right now, but both organizations know they have something every team covets: a quarterback who can change the outcome of a game with a single snap.
For a few moments after practice, the conversation wasn't about rival teams, records, or expectations. It was simply two elite quarterbacks recognizing greatness in one another. If both stay healthy, the NFL could spend the next several months being reminded exactly why that respect exists.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels trade praise before preseason finale
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