The magical season of Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders came to a crushing end Sunday in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Daniels threw for a game-high 255 yards and one touchdown. He also led Washington with 48 rushing yards and a touchdown.
However, his efforts could not negate four Washington turnovers, 118 rushing yards, and three touchdowns by Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley. Philadelphia controlled the pace for much of the game, cruising to a 55-23 win.
The NFL Offensive Rookie of The Year finalist appeared gutted about the disappointing 32-point loss.
“We believed that we belonged here,” a teary-eyed Daniels said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “I don’t want to ever feel like this again, but you got to deal with it and move on.”
Despite the agony of defeat future is bright for Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels had arguably the most outstanding rookie season by a quarterback in NFL season. The Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner led the Washington Commanders to their first NFC Championship Game since 1991.
The Commanders had won two postseason games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions while winning the turnover margin in each game. Washington did not commit a turnover in the wild card and divisional rounds. However, against the Eagles, Washington lost the ball four times, including a late interception by Daniels.
By all accounts, the Commanders’ locker room appeared devasted. Leaders such as star wide receiver Terry McLaurin tried to uplift the young stars in the locker room. The season was built around a brotherhood mantra, with a roster meshed together under first-year general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.
“This sucks, this [expletive] sucks. Excuse my language, but I couldn’t be prouder of my guys,” Daniels said.
Daniels admitted he is taking the loss hard.
In his first year, Daniels had the composure of a veteran quarterback despite playing in his first NFL season. He led five-game winning drives, including against the Buccaneers in the playoffs.
Daniels also ignited a new pride among the Commanders’ fan base. His reaction to the loss shows he cares about the game. The adage is that some people hate losing more than they enjoy winning. Daniels’ postgame emotions laminates the saying.
Yet, the future is bright for the Commanders. With almost 30 pending free agents, most brought in last offseason, Washington’s locker room dynamics may change.
Yet Daniels’ potential presence for the next decade puts the Commanders in a great position to return to the NFC Championship Game. Sunday was not their day.
