Sources – Players want to be given to commanders by the deadline

Here's a sentence that hasn't been written or spoken in this century – since Dan Snyder owned an NFL franchise: Players want to land in Washington and play for the Commanders.

In recent weeks, there have been players who privately stated or told their agents that they want to be traded to the Commanders, league sources told ESPN.

It's possible the commanders will be able to comply by Tuesday's trading close at 4 p.m. ET. According to league sources, the Commanders have explored adding a cornerback and could use help at wide receiver.

But even if the Commanders can't make a trade by the deadline, the fact that certain players would like to end up in Washington bodes well for the franchise in free agency and in the years to come, league sources told ESPN.

It's a function of new ownership, a new front office, a new coaching staff and, perhaps most importantly, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is competing not only for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but potentially the MVP award fights.

Daniels helped save a franchise that is 6-2 and in first place in the NFC East heading into Sunday's game at the New York Giants, a team that was testing the former LSU star, but couldn't move up to sign him.

Daniels is coming off a week in which he made the play of the NFL season – his 52-yard “Hail Mary” touchdown pass to Noah Brown that helped Washington to an 18-15 home win over the Chicago Bears last Sunday .

Daniels' pass alone stood out, but so did his actions after the game.

As Washington's locker room cheered, a commander's official noticed Daniels standing at his locker watching everyone else in the room celebrate. Daniels appeared calm and composed, and it seemed like the dramatic win was what he expected that day, the team official said. In his rookie year, Daniels is already acting like a confident, experienced player.

Now the Commanders have put themselves in a position to compete for a division title and a playoff spot, but just as importantly, they have changed the perception of the franchise.

The Commanders are 6-2 for the first time since 2008 and 4-0 at home for the first time since 2005.

Daniels, the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, has completed 71.8% of his passes – the second-best rate in the NFL – for 1,736 yards and seven touchdowns with just two interceptions, while also rushing for 424 yards and four scores.

According to ESPN Research, Daniels is the second player in NFL history with 1,500 passing yards and 400 rushing yards in his first eight career games, joining another rookie star from Washington, Robert Griffin III, in 2012.

For years, even decades, Washington was considered an NFL wasteland, a toxic environment plagued by problems under Snyder's leadership that blighted the franchise.

But for all the adjustments the commanders have made, the latest and ultimate sign of how much has changed is the fact that players want to get to Washington on time.