Daniels has been great most of his first season, but it’s the big moments in the big spots that have been so astounding.
The 24-year-old had three total touchdowns and completed 91.3% of his passes in his prime-time debut, a Monday night nail-biting win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
He scrambled for an eternity before letting fly on a Hail Mary to essentially end the Chicago Bears’ season on Oct. 27, while letting the Commanders faithful know anything was possible with him at quarterback.
Three weeks ago, he threw five touchdowns in a chaotic rally past the Philadelphia Eagles.
A week after that, he was marvelous to the tune of three TD passes and 127 rushing yards in an overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons that clinched Washington’s first playoff berth since 2020.
Then he arrived at his playoff debut.
“It’s been amazing, you know,” Wagner told NFL Network’s Sara Walsh after the game, “watching his growth and seeing all the work he put in all season, to see it kind of come to fruition right now has been good, it’s been a blessing.”
Trailing, 17-13, in the fourth quarter, Daniels and Co. couldn’t get in the end zone on four straight goal-to-go plays. However, a botched Baker Mayfield handoff gave the ball right back.
Washington was once more stymied before Daniels — on fourth-and-2 from the 5-yard line — hit Terry McLaurin for a score that led to a 20-17 lead.
Mayfield and the Bucs tied the game at 20 on the ensuing drive.
Daniels didn’t need to lead the Commanders on a two-minute rally. Instead, he had 4:41 left starting from his 30-yard line.
Daniels embarked on a game-winning drive, exemplifying the patience and poise far beyond his years, draining the clock and the Bucs’ aspirations.
He was 3 for 3 on the drive for 44 yards before a 4-yard run on third-and-2 allowed the Commanders to set up for a Zane Gonzalez game-winner that clanged in for a celebration.
Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn have not just given the Washington fanbase something to cheer about under new and welcomed ownership, but something to look forward to no matter how long this run lasts.
Quinn is in his first season at the Washington helm, but he spent six seasons as the Falcons head coach, captaining the squad to a Super Bowl appearance. He sees something special and distinct with Daniels.
“Jayden certainly is a big factor in that,” Quinn said when asked what was different about this team than others he’s been around. “I think if he had his heart rate monitor on and mine, they would not be the same in the game. His stays pretty consistently good, and sometimes I’m like the duck if you just saw the feet go under the water. But he really is, into that space, exceptional.”
The face of the franchise has been found after years of searching for a bona fide franchise QB floundered under the guise of poor leadership.
He showed it throughout an exceptional regular season and now in the postseason, earning a celebration anticipated for nearly 20 years.
Next stop is Detroit and looking to shock the world against the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
“I’m fortunate to play with him and see how much he’s grown this year, but that’s who he is,” McLaurin said. “He’s been blessed with unbelievable ability, but his ability to just be ready for any moment that comes his way is definitely special.”
