Actions speak louder than words, don’t they? And if you woke up after “Monday Night Football” with a buzz in your ears, you can thank Jayden Daniels for that.
The Washington Commanders rookie quarterback delivered an electrifying, flawless road performance in his prime-time debut, making quite the statement. Daniels, in only his third NFL game, outperformed fellow LSU Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow in a duel that left fans and critics stunned. Displaying composure beyond his years, Daniels navigated relentless pressure from the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense, moving the chains with elusive pocket movement and timely decisions. His historic night saw him set a rookie record for single-game completion percentage at 91.3%, leading Washington to score on all six of their offensive drives (not counting kneel-downs) while maintaining a turnover-free game.
But the real magic lay in his precision passing. Daniels delivered jaw-dropping throws, including a 55-yard missile in the second quarter and a perfectly placed 27-yard lob deep in the end zone for Washington’s final points. The national audience wasn’t the only one in awe—his teammates were too. Receiver Terry McLaurin, who hauled in the 27-yard touchdown, called the passes “dimes,” exclaiming, “Both throws were dimes!”
The Commanders locker room, particularly those who had endured years of inconsistency at quarterback, was elated after the 38-33 victory that improved Washington’s record to a surprising 2-1. They weren’t just celebrating the win, but the exceptional talent they had in their young quarterback. Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 4-yard rushing score. He even etched his name into trivia by throwing his first career touchdown pass to offensive lineman Trent Scott. His leadership was apparent, guiding Washington with 39 rushing yards and keeping them calm under pressure, especially when the Bengals closed the gap late in the game.
When Cincinnati pulled within one score after a Ja’Marr Chase touchdown, Daniels orchestrated a poised, 12-play, 70-yard drive, capped by McLaurin’s touchdown catch. The drive included a critical fourth-and-4 conversion from the Bengals’ 39-yard line, where Daniels coolly connected with tight end Zach Ertz.
The chemistry between Daniels and McLaurin was still developing, but the connection during this game was undeniable. Their touchdown, against a Bengals Cover 0 defense, became the most improbable completion of the season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner remarked, “I’m not sure I’ve seen something like that,” summing up what many in Washington had felt—this performance was something special.
Washington’s quarterback struggles have been well-documented, stretching back decades since their Super Bowl triumphs under Joe Gibbs. Former QB Joe Theismann even took to social media to rally fans, writing, “Washington, get excited about our team and our QB.”
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen echoed the sentiment, calling Daniels “special.” Daniels, the sixth different Week 1 starter in McLaurin’s six seasons, displayed a level of maturity and poise that inspired confidence in the locker room. McLaurin acknowledged the growth, saying, “That kid has poise. I think he grew up tonight. He’s been making these throws in camp, but to do it when the game is on the line — that’s what great players do.”
Even the Bengals, now 0-3, couldn’t help but tip their hats to the rookie. Coach Zac Taylor admitted, “I thought their quarterback played great. He was a difficult challenge.”
Through it all, Daniels remained humble, focusing on the team effort. “It’s great, not just for me, but for the whole team,” he said after the game. His confidence was clear, but so was his understanding of the work it took to get to this point. Reflecting on his success, he noted, “What’s done in the dark will always come to light.”
When asked about what he proved to the NFL, Daniels simply said, “I’m a competitor. I want to compete at the highest level. It’s a blessing to be able to go out there and do things that a lot of people in the world can’t do.”
And with that, the message was loud and clear—Jayden Daniels is ready to take the league by storm.
