Ex-LSU stars call off wager
ASHBURN, Va. — Jayden Daniels feels his biggest challenge after being drafted second by the Washington Commanders to become their franchise quarterback is learning how to be a pro.
He learned an important lesson before throwing his first NFL pass.
Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, and former LSU teammate Malik Nabers, now a receiver with the division-rival New York Giants taken four picks later, said Friday they called off their $10,000 bet over who would be offensive rookie of the year.
“We were uneducated on the gambling policy in the NFL,” Daniels said after the first practice of the Commanders’ rookie minicamp.
Word of the wager emerged from recent podcast appearances the players made. Nabers first mentioned it, then Daniels — after saying Nabers wasn’t supposed to talk about it — confirmed the financial ramifications.
With so much scrutiny over gambling, including several players being suspended in recent years for violating league policy, betting on performance, even privately without a sportsbook involved, could have been considered a violation.
“I’m educated now that I got here about sports betting and gambling,” Nabers said after Giants rookie minicamp in East Rutherford, N.J. “We’re calling the bet off. There is no bet now. It was just another brother pushing another brother to try to get to success. That’s all it was.”
Chicago’s Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick, is favored to win offensive rookie of the year honors, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, with Daniels as the 6-1 second choice and Nabers fifth at 11-1.
“We’re just focused on being the best players for our respective teams,” Daniels said.
It’s possible Daniels’ wallet is already a little lighter after reaching an agreement with punter
Tress Way, Washington’s longest-tenured player, to wear the same No. 5 he had at LSU and previously at Arizona State. Daniels would not reveal the terms of the deal but thanked Way for working with him to get it done.
“Obviously it was very hard for him, sentimental value to him and me,” Daniels said. The QB took the field in a yellow practice version of that jersey Friday along with seven of the other eight Commanders draft picks, several rookie free agents and players on tryouts. The first of their three second-round selections, defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, did not take part and observed with a boot on his surgically repaired left foot.
Nabers, the sixth pick in the draft last month, signed a four-year, $29.1 million deal that includes an $18 million signing bonus Friday.
Callahan thrilled to join son’s staff
Bill Callahan never thought he’d work for his son in the NFL. Not at his age and after all his years in the league.
As Brian Callahan interviewed for head coaching jobs in 2023, father and son talked at length about the idea, leaving Bill convinced he wouldn’t join his son if and when a team hired him.
Then the Tennessee Titans hired Brian in January. With Cleveland’s permission, Bill Callahan said he felt compelled to join his son.
“It really was a kind of a no-brainer in that regard,” said Bill, who turns 68 in July. “So it’s family, and I want to see him succeed. Just like any parent wants to see their children succeed. So, it’s rare. It’s unique. And so, oh yeah I’m fired up about it.”
Brian became just the seventh son to follow his father as a non-interim head coach in the NFL, joining Wade and the late Bum Phillips, the Jim Moras, Dick and Mike Nolan, Don and Dave Shula, the late Buddy and Rex Ryan and Mike and Kyle Shanahan.