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John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer
Quarterback Jayden Daniels went four spots ahead of former LSU teammate Malik Nabers in the draft. He’s also counting on finishing ahead of him when it comes to being named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Otherwise, it could cost him $10,000.
Daniels and Nabers have a bet on who will win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, which Nabers first mentioned on “The Pivot” podcast with Ryan Clark. Daniels confirmed the wager during an interview on the “All Facts No Brakes” podcast with Keyshawn Johnson on Wednesday. It could be a short-lived wager.
The Washington Commanders selected Daniels with the second pick while at No. 6 the New York Giants picked Nabers, Daniels’ favorite receiving target last season.
“Man, he wasn’t supposed to tell nobody,” Daniels said of the bet. “We got a little something going on.”
Daniels also confirmed that it was for “10” when asked by Johnson after Nabers had said “whoever lose gotta pay, I think it’s $10,000 cash.”
However, there’s a good chance the bet doesn’t happen. One team source said the education for rookies on the gambling policy will take place during their rookie minicamp, which begins Thursday with orientation sessions. The bet could end up being cancelled afterward.
ESPN has contacted the NFL league office to determine if this would violate its policy on gambling but did not immediately hear back. The league’s policy states that NFL personnel are prohibited from “placing, soliciting or facilitating any bet, whether directly or through a third party,” on any NFL game, practice or other league event, such as the draft or combine.” It includes betting on the outcome of a game, statistics, the score or individual performance and other prop bets.
The 2022 gambling policy stated that gambling includes “private wagers between teammates, family and friends, or others” but that was not included in the revised 2023 policy.
Regardless, Daniels knows what Nabers will bring to the Giants. Last fall, Nabers caught 89 passes for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“That boy is a dog, man,” Daniels told Johnson. “He’s a true receiver. He “believes he’s always open but he’s competitive for real. If he don’t think a defensive back can guard him, he’ll let him know. If he catches a ball, he makes a play, he’s going to let you know.
“He’s similar to Ja’Marr [Chase], just how explosive they are.”
And Daniels’ focus, more than on a friendly bet, will be on topping his friend C.J. Stroud, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Houston Texans. Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions last season. Both Daniels and Stroud grew up in California.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to do better than him,” Daniels said. “What he did was unheard of, so it’s not like I’m comparing myself to him. Just us being from the same area I want to outdo him.”