Brian Mitchell has had enough of the foolish comparisons!
Former Washington RB Brian Mitchell was not only athletic enough to make it to the NFL, but he was mentally tough. Mitchell was also known for being a smart player. The stories are out there from former coaches and players about how it was Mitchell who helped rookie quarterback Heath Shuler with calling the plays in the huddle in 1994.
Mitchell attempted to clarify a bit recently on his 106.7 The Fan radio show with J.P. Finlay. Mitchell is tired of the foolish comparisons that have been made, implying and stating explicitly that the Commanders‘ Jayden Daniels is like Robert Griffin III.
Returning nine punts and four kickoffs for touchdowns, Mitchell was fearless in how he would catch the punt/kick and attempt to first run straight ahead, picking up what he could, and then see if he could make a big play out of his return. Similarly, Mitchell surged straight ahead, going after those making the illogical comparisons.
This time on the air, Mitchell was all business: “The only comparisons in Jayden and RG3 to me, they were the second (overall) pick, they won the Heisman, and they are black, mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks.”
Mitchell is 100 percent correct; that is where the comparisons should cease. For those who have been trying to re-create Robert Griffin into the image of Jayden Daniels, have you gone back and watched a highlight film of Robert? It is evident that the two quarterbacks differed significantly in the pocket, in their ability to extend plays, and in how they ran the ball. One looks to pass first, extend the play to pass second, and then runs wisely and carefully. The other would take off running much quicker and was rather reckless, not discerning, in how he ran the ball.
“When it comes down to the preparation for the game,” Mitchell continued, “Jayden is in a different atmosphere than Robert was. When it comes to giving a hell about the game, Jayden is in a different atmosphere than Robert was. Jayden loves the game. He could give a —- about the success that comes with it. He is the type of guy that says, ‘I will deal with that when I am done with this game.'”
Mitchell was saying that not only is Daniels’ work ethic for the team much better, but his mental awareness of the situations surrounding him, the temptations of fame, and his attitude toward coaching are all miles apart.
“When you saw him get hit last year, and people were complaining about his running last year. He is a pocket passer, better than Cam (Newton), better than RG3. He can run. You see, Cam was this big monstrous guy, thought he could run over everybody, and that is why he got banged up.”
Robert thought he was Cam Newton. Jayden has realized, ‘I don’t need to get hit by those guys. So I am going to use my pocket presence and use my athleticism when I get a chance.”
There have been increasing numbers on social media suggesting Daniels could suffer a huge letdown in his second season, similar to what Robert Griffin did.
Stop comparing Jayden and RG3, says @BMITCHLIVE30 – ‘the only comp to me is they were both No. 2 picks!’ pic.twitter.com/aAOYQyACUw
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) July 8, 2025
However, those folks fail to realize that if Daniels does experience a hugely disappointing season like Griffin did in his second NFL season, it will be for very different reasons, certainly not the reasons Griffin never again had any NFL success.
Jayden Daniels is not like Robert Griffin, and Brian Mitchell is tired of hearing such nonsense.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Brian Mitchell disagrees that Jayden Daniels is like Robert Griffin