Jayden Daniels Up and Down in NFL Debut For Commanders

Jayden Daniels’ NFL debut was a mix of highs and lows.

The second overall pick out of LSU and the Commanders fell short in a 37-20 loss.

“I thought he got to fully showcase his skills, using his legs, being aggressive downfield, and, like many players tonight, there’s a lot to learn from,” said new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. “We’ve got one hell of a competitor in him, and this is just the beginning with him and the team.”

Now, for the positives.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner avoided interceptions, completing 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards. He also made an impact on the ground, rushing 16 times for 88 yards and a touchdown.

“I’m tough on myself,” Daniels said. “We didn’t get the win. As a competitor, I want to win, but overall, I think it went pretty well.”

Daniels spread the ball around, connecting with eight different receivers. New Commander Austin Ekeler led with four catches for 52 yards, while star wideout Terry McLaurin caught two passes for 17 yards.

On the downside, Daniels fumbled three times, though all were recovered by Washington.

Daniels took some hits on his runs early, not sliding or getting out of bounds, which drew criticism from Quinn, who wants to see him be more cautious.

Defensively, Washington struggled with missed tackles and overall performance. If Daniels and the defense can tighten up, the Commanders could be in a better position moving forward, but it will take time for the rookie quarterback.

“The guys believe in him because of the work he’s put in,” Quinn said of Daniels. “The players love him for who he is, both as a competitor and a teammate.”

Adding to the team’s struggles, kicker Cade Tork missed both of his field goal attempts.