Commanders QB Accountable After Turnover-Filled Loss to Bears

The lights were bright, the stage was national, and for the first time this season, Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels stumbled. The second-year star quarterback endured his toughest outing yet in Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bears, committing multiple turnovers that stalled promising drives and flipped the game’s momentum. But just three days later, Daniels’ tone was steady and mature. There was no panic, no excuses, only resolve.

Taking Ownership and Moving Forward

Daniels didn’t need anyone to tell him what went wrong. After reviewing the film, he summed up the lesson simply: “Not turn the ball over. Yeah, that’s pretty much it.”

For a young quarterback, accountability matters just as much as ability. Daniels made it clear he wasn’t shying away from the responsibility that comes with being the face of a franchise. “I mean, that’s what a quarterback does,” Daniels said. “It was on me. So, I take accountability.”

In a move that showed maturity beyond his years, Daniels also revealed he reached out to head coach Dan Quinn after the game. When asked what he said, Daniels smiled and replied, “That was between me and him, but I did.” He later explained, “It just felt like it was on my heart to send him a text, so I did.”

That private message underscored a public truth: Daniels is determined to lead by example, even when things don’t go his way.

Embracing the Short Week and Eyeing Dallas

The Commanders don’t have much time to dwell on the loss. A divisional showdown with the Dallas Cowboys looms, and Daniels knows how much is at stake. “Respond,” he said when asked how the team would handle the setback. “Go out there and play hard. We have to execute because it’s a tough team we’re playing, a division rival, so we’re looking to get a win.”

It’s a quick turnaround, but Daniels has already shifted his mindset. “We had a short week, so I had to move on pretty quickly,” he said. “You have to look forward.”

That approach has been a trademark of his young career: flush mistakes, learn fast, and come back sharper. Daniels remains confident the Commanders’ offense can rediscover its rhythm, especially if veteran wideout Terry McLaurin returns to the lineup. “Terry’s been doing this at a high level for years,” Daniels said. “Getting him back would be good for us offensively.”

Focusing on Execution and Chemistry

Even with injuries at wide receiver, Daniels continues to emphasize fundamentals and preparation. “For anybody in this league, it’s tough,” he admitted. “But the preparation stays the same. That’s why in the offseason you work on your fundamentals and your individual game.”

He’s also finding time to build chemistry with teammates during the week. “You have to find your spaces for after practice type of things,” Daniels said. “You might rep a play one time, and Coach [Kliff] Kingsbury might call it in a critical situation. You have to go out there and execute it.”

Daniels praised young wideout Luke McCaffrey for his consistency and knack for big plays, while also crediting Chris Moore for his veteran presence. “Every time we need a big play to be made, Luke is stepping up making that play,” Daniels said.

Despite the setback, Daniels’ confidence in the offense remains high. “We got the chance to take this thing to another level,” he said. “We can score with the best of them, but we just have to be better with the details and execution.”

As the Commanders prepare for their next challenge, one thing is clear, Daniels isn’t running from the moment. He’s embracing it. He’s learning. And most importantly, he’s leading.

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