A body at rest tends to stay at rest, but a body in motion tends to stay in motion.
The Chargers did a pretty good job of attempting to prove Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion during their first four games of 2025, mostly keeping the bodies of Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith, Bo Nix and Jaxson Dart at rest during their first four games of the 2025 season.
After all, they defeated Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders, Nix and the Denver Broncos before dropping a 21-18 decision to Dart and the New York Giants. Their loss to the Giants this past Sunday had more to do with a malfunctioning offense, though.
So, what’s next?
More of the same, as it turns out.
Meet quarterback Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders, another body who thrives on constant motion. Whether it’s passing or running and creating something from nothing, Daniels can make even the best of NFL defenses, and the Chargers have one of those, look silly.
Daniels almost single-handedly rejuvenated a franchise during his rookie season, leading the Commanders to the NFC championship game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. He completed 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2024. Additionally, Daniels rushed for 891 yards and six TDs.
In short, he was a body that definitely tended to stay in motion, making that old physics coach, Newton, proud.
“One of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the league,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said, offering a short and to-the-point scouting report on Daniels. “He can move around a lot with his legs, but he can make throws, too. So, we’ve got a challenge.”
The Commanders, like the Chargers, are bruised and battered going into the Week 5 game at SoFi Stadium. Daniels sat out the past two games because of a knee injury, but was cleared by medical personnel to resume practicing with his teammates Wednesday. He’s set to play Sunday.
So, what separates Daniels from Mahomes, Smith, Nix and Dart?
“He’s more elusive in the field,” James said.
What makes James certain the Chargers can handle Daniels?
“We’re definitely locked in this week, man,” James said. “Locked in on our keys, and it’s made us better this week, and we got better (watching) our mistakes on film, for sure. I feel like you learn from it. I feel like great coaches, great players, you learn from it. You don’t just, like, sweep it under the rug and hope nobody sees it.”
Last Sunday’s result looked rough, especially considering the Chargers lost to Dart, a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start, and a Giants team that had lost its first three games, including to the Commanders, 21-6, in Week 2. To be accurate, Dart’s first drive was impressive, though.
Dart drove New York 89 yards on nine plays on its opening drive, running 15 yards for a touchdown and a lead the Giants never surrendered.
However, two other scoring drives were short ones set up by turnovers, resulting in a field goal and a 3-yard touchdown pass. Another lengthy Giants drive was halted by a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter on a fourth-down pass breakup by Chargers safety Alohi Gilman in the end zone.
Overall, the Chargers limited Dart to 111 yards passing, sacking him five times.
But that game is firmly in the past, as far as the Chargers are concerned.
Daniels is their next concern.
“Electric,” Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said of Daniels. “This is a guy similar to a few other quarterbacks who have come out of college the last couple of years who have played five, six years of college football. So, I would say he’s different than traditional rookies of years past.”
Daniels departed Cajon High in San Bernardino and played three seasons at Arizona State before playing two more at LSU and winning the Heisman Trophy after his senior season in 2023. The Commanders picked him second overall in the 2024 draft, rebuilding around him.
Washington went 12-5 during Daniels’ rookie season.
“Last year, he took the league by storm,” Minter said. “This guy was really in the MVP conversation. Obviously, Rookie of the Year. Had his team in the NFC championship game. So, it’s a major, major challenge, with what he can do with his arm and his legs. He can stand back there and make his throws and then he can take your soul on his quarterback scrambles.”
CHARGERS (3-1) vs. COMMANDERS (2-2)
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: FOX (Ch. 11); 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)