ASHBURN, Va. – Optimism about a new quarterback is now old hat for the Washington Commanders.

The organization has used a different quarterback each of the last six seasons. It has traded away former top draft picks – twice. It has signed veterans. It has used draft picks. Each time, it tries to explain why it will be different this time. And each time, it ends with Washington looking for a different solution at the position.

As Washington prepares for its season opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox), it’s Jayden Daniels’ turn. Optimism has predictably returned, but this time it feels different.

There are the following:

“We have a very special guy,” right guard Sam Cosmi said of Daniels. “I’m really excited to be here.”

And that:

“He’s going to be really, really good,” said 12-year veteran tight end Zach Ertz, “and it’s not going to be one of those things where he’s going to be good at in a few years. Right now he’s really good.”

The only person who doesn’t believe the Daniels hype is Daniels himself.

“I can’t go out there and think I’m the savior,” he said.

Still, when he takes the field against Tampa, he will be the most highly anticipated first start by a Washington rookie quarterback since Robert Griffin III in 2012. Like Daniels, Griffin was the No. 2 overall pick and a former Heisman winner. In his debut, Griffin completed 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards and ran for 42 yards on nine carries in a win over the New Orleans Saints.

Griffin was named NFL Rookie of the Year that season. He passed for 3,200 yards and scored 20 touchdowns while rushing for another 815 yards and scoring five touchdowns.

“I’m excited to see him play myself,” offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. “I know he’s going to have a blast. He’s a pretty laid back, easy-going guy, but when he steps on the field, he tries to tear your head off. To see his competitive spirit come out in his first game, and it’s not always going to be pretty… that’s going to be a lot of fun for me.”

Washington faces a tough test against a Tampa Bay defense that had the third-most blitzes of any team last season. Daniels proved adept against blitzes in college, posting the fifth-best QBR against blitzes among Division I quarterbacks last season. He finished the season with 17 touchdowns and no interceptions. But that was college. His teammates on the Commanders say his ability to get rid of the ball quickly is one reason he won’t be overwhelmed in the NFL. Teammates and coaches have also praised his composure in the pocket this summer. And they point out that Daniels hasn’t been sacked on 15 pass attempts in his two preseason games.

“He gets the ball out of his hands quickly. His anticipation is at a high level for a guy who just came into the NFL,” said veteran receiver Terry McLaurin. “He came across as really polished. … He’s calm, cool and collected, but you can tell he’s got a little something.”

Daniels hasn’t set too high expectations for himself since arriving in Washington, instead focusing on playing his role.

“I just go out there and be myself,” Daniels said. “Stay grounded. Don’t get too worked up, but don’t get too worked up either. It takes a team to help people.”

It’s the same message Daniels has been repeating since Washington drafted him in April. But he also knows it’s his first game. Daniels played 55 games in college, so he brings plenty of experience. He went through an adjustment as a freshman starter at Arizona State and another when he transferred to LSU for his final two seasons. Now he’s about to make another big jump.

“You’re a beginner. You’re not going to have everything perfect,” he said. “You can strive for perfection, but it’s not going to be perfect. There’s going to be ups and downs, and then just go from there.”

And while players say they already believe in him, they also know he’s only just arrived. The veterans who rave about him also know he has more work to do: He has to show he can handle an NFL blitz all game long; he has to prove he can make big plays under pressure and beat teams out of the pocket. McLaurin called it a “journey and a process” that Daniels has to go through. Others agree.

“We don’t expect Jayden to put on a Superman cape, save us and carry the offense on his shoulders from day one,” Ertz said, “even though we know he can do that. We expect him to do what he’s done all offseason, show poise, stay calm in all situations and lead this offense.”

After talking about what Daniels could do for the past four months, everyone will have a chance to see it on Sunday.

“It’s almost like watching your son’s first game,” receiver Dyami Brown said. “I’ve seen you practice for so long. Let’s watch this game and see what you can do.”