Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has shown off his feet and precise passing underneath. Yet, connecting on a throw down the field had been missing. What’s been missing more is his chemistry with Washington’s star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin was limited to six catches for 22 yards on the season.
Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and head coach Dan Quinn stressed the importance of getting McLaurin involved.
Daniels had an opportunity to find McLaurin early in the second quarter. Unfortunately, Daniels overshot a wide-open McLaurin on a post. The Bengals got pressure up the middle just as Daniels wanted to throw the ball, forcing him to sail the pass way out of his receiver’s reach.
Fortunately, the Commanders still finished the drive off with a touchdown. Washington’s running back Austin Ekeler scampered for a 24-yard touchdown to give the Commanders a 14-7 lead.
Seeing the missed opportunity, Kingsbury dialed up another play for McLaurin on Washington’s next offensive possession. This time, Daniels connected, dropping a dime over the shoulder of McLaurin for a 55-yard gain.
The pass was Daniels’ longest in-the-air throw of his pro and collegiate career. McLaurin got in front of Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who called out Daniels and the Commanders for running a “college offense” earlier in the week.
The Daniels’ bomb set a Daniels rushing touchdown — his third of the season that extended Washington’s lead to 21-10.
For Daniels to mature as the QB, he expects to be, he must push the football down the field. Terry McLaurin will go a long way toward helping him. The more they connect, the more dangerous the offense becomes.
