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John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterSep 15, 2024, 07:11 PM ET
- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
LANDOVER, Md. — At one point on the game-winning drive, Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels couldn’t help but laugh. He was making plays; he was moments from securing his first win in the NFL; he was having fun.
“That’s what you live for, those moments,” Daniels said. “That’s where names get made in the league.”
In the last-second, 21-18 win over the New York Giants (0-2) that evened the Commanders’ record at 1-1, Daniels received plenty of help. Placekicker Austin Seibert, signed Tuesday, made a franchise-record seven field goals, including the decisive 30-yarder at the buzzer, and running backs Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler combined for 218 yards from scrimmage.
But Daniels’ poise — and big plays — helped engineer the win. He was sacked five times and under pressure on other occasions. However, he completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and ran 10 times for 44 yards in what also was Dan Quinn’s first victory as Washington’s coach.
On his last two drives, with Washington trailing 18-15, Daniels, the second overall draft pick in April, completed a combined 7 of 9 passes for 91 yards while running twice for 15 yards.
“He just continues to show poise through the ups and downs of the game and being a young quarterback,” Washington receiver Olamide Zaccheaus said. “He was actually laughing. I love that; just being himself.”
Daniels ran 16 times in the 37-20 season-opening loss at Tampa Bay, partly a function of the Bucs’ pass rush combined with playing a lot of man coverage. And during the week he and others in the organization talked about lessons he could learn from just one game.
At times, Quinn said, Daniels could have stayed in the pocket longer with a read on a play. Other times, it was a matter of building chemistry with receiver Terry McLaurin, whom he overthrew on a slot fade when a back-shoulder throw was a better option. And sometimes Tampa Bay fooled him with its coverages, causing him to predetermine his reads and miss potential big gains.
But colleagues also pointed to the rookie’s poise during a game in which he had to escape numerous pressures. Daniels showed that poise again Sunday.
“He hasn’t been fazed,” Robinson said. “Not one time by anything negative that happens. I haven’t seen his energy go down or anything. He’s as positive as anybody on his team. Even in the most critical times or when things are backed up. He’s a great leader in those situations. He’s able to fight through as our quarterback to help put us in a better situation.”
Daniels has yet to throw a touchdown — or an interception.
“He has a real conscious for the ball,” Quinn said. “That was one of the things that made him so unique coming out of college. He has a mindset about it.”
Coaches also call Daniels a quick study. Early in the fourth quarter Sunday, he connected with Noah Brown for a 15-yard gain on the right side. Then, on the final drive, Washington returned to a similar route concept with Brown. Daniels looked left, then returned to his right and connected with him for a 34-yard gain to the Giants’ 43 that sparked the drive.
“I knew he was able to win on that route if I got the time I needed,” said Daniels, who exchanged jerseys after the game with former LSU teammate Malik Nabers.
Daniels also converted a third-and-13 by scrambling for 14 yards. The one hiccup: He was sidelined when he got the wind knocked out of him. As Daniels ran upfield, he looked to his right and saw the first-down marker, then cut upfield between two defenders and was drilled in the stomach by corner Dru Phillips.
“He’s a tough dude,” Robinson said. “Over time he’s going to continue to show how he’s a player. What more would I want from a quarterback that’s willing to put his body on the line at a critical time?”
“Ain’t the first time so it ain’t nothing new with me,” Daniels said about keeping his poise despite numerous hits.
Seibert, meanwhile, was the fifth kicker Washington had signed since March. He received a game ball from Quinn after the win.
“That’s kind of a great way to welcome myself,” Seibert said. “So I’m happy with it. … You have to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.”
Seibert made six kicks from 33 yards and in, and one from 45. He finished one make shy of tying the NFL record.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “Just a special performance.”
