The Kliff Kingsbury Masterclass brings Commander to life without Jayden Daniels

Concern around Northwest Stadium was palpable after rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels injured a rib on the first drive. He is the glue that holds together the Washington Commanders' chances of becoming playoff contenders. Many also wondered how the offense would function without the new face of the franchise.

As it turns out, fans shouldn't have worried. Even without Daniels, the commanders were extremely efficient. Veteran backup quarterback Marcus Mariota had some initial nerves against the Carolina Panthers, but had an outstanding performance overall. This was also another masterstroke of playmaking efficiency from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

The Commanders hired the right man when Magic Johnson stepped in at the 11th hour to stop Kingsbury from joining the Las Vegas Raiders. Some media outlets criticized the appointment just one year after he was fired as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. It's still relatively early, but it looks like a huge deal from the new regime.

Kingsbury surrounded Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. He implemented some creative rushing concepts and did an excellent job of mixing the power run game with reads and outside shifts. The Panthers are shorthanded defensively, but it's also important to remember that the Commanders did this without Daniels or third-round rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman.

Washington amassed 421 yards of total offense. They secured 26 first downs. They averaged 6.7 yards per play and had an impressive 214 rushing yards. This is no coincidence, it is due to Kingsbury's composure and ability to adapt to any situation.

Daniels smiled on the sidelines after commanders decided to end his afternoon early. There was no need to put him back out there in this case. They need their star player fresh for the team's upcoming challenges. And make no mistake, they won't be playing a team as bad as the Panthers again in 2024.

The Commanders bounced back in good style after their competitive loss at the Baltimore Ravens. They remain atop the NFC East and in the playoff spots as the midseason point approaches. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that they are finding new ways to win. It is a true community effort and the core fabric of Washington's improved culture.

Kingsbury plays an integral role. He really enjoys this offense and speculation about another opportunity as head coach is increasing. Whether it's something the play-caller is currently interested in remains unclear, but he's relaxed enough to focus on the task at hand and worry about the rest later.

Hopefully Daniels will be back under center this weekend and the Commanders can extend their remarkable start to the campaign. They dominate teams that would have put up a better fight last season. Looking at history, Kingsbury's hire could well be the best one in Washington if this trend continues.

The Commanders won't play against the Panthers every week, that's too bad. However, with Kingsbury controlling the offense, they should be a match for almost anyone.

This is proof that things worked out much sooner than expected. Long may it continue like this.

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