For a few seconds, at least, the Washington Commanders saw their collective lives flash before their eyes. It was about the same amount of time it took quarterback Jayden Daniels to run 15 yards for a preseason touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on August 18.
On the first offensive series of the game for the Commanders, Daniels authored a 4-play, 74-yard scoring drive capped by his 15-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 7-7 in front of the home crowd in Landover, Maryland.
The last few yards were the scariest.
At about the 5-yard line, Daniels had an opportunity to slide. Instead, he decided to make a final move to score with 2 defensive backs still having what seemed like clear shots at him.
If not for playing against one of the NFL’s worst defenses, it could have resulted in disaster.
It was the only drive Daniels was in the game before giving way to backup quarterback Josh Johnson.
“I think what you heard there was a collective gasp from everyone in the stadium,” ESPN Monday Night Football play-by-play analyst Joe Buck said. “You also see why Daniels is so thrilling and fans have such high expectations.”
“Why didn’t you go down?” ESPN’s Lisa Salters asked Daniels during a sideline interview in the second quarter. “You know everybody in the building held their breath on that, right?
“I wanted to score,” Daniels said, smiling. “And then everybody cheered, so … ”
Social Media Reacts to Daniels’ Electric TD Run
Just a small glimpse at Daniels’ unique skill set sent social media buzzing after his touchdown run.
“This should’ve ended with a huge hit by Jordan Battle,” Bengals Talk’s James Rapien wrote on his official X account. “Instead it’s a TD for Jayden Daniels. Describe the Bengals’ defense in one word. I’ll start: YIKES.”
“Jayden Daniels : Still Elite,” Commanders reporter Chad Ryan wrote on X. “Drop backs in the empty-set, doesn’t like what he sees, so runs it in himself.”
“Jayden Daniels is ridiculous,” former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel wrote on his official X account.
“Not overreacting or anything but Jayden Daniels might really be QB1 this year,” DraftKings wrote on its official X account.
“Dear Jayden Daniels, You didn’t slide,” 7News DC’s Scott Abraham wrote on X. “That was scary. Don’t do that again. Love, Everybody xo.”
Eagerly Awaited Sophomore Campaign For Daniels
There wasn’t a single person in the universe — aside from Daniels’ mom, probably — who thought the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft could do what he did as a rookie.
In arguably the greatest season by a rookie quarterback in NFL history, Daniels threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions and set the rookie rushing record for NFL quarterbacks with 891 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.
That performance got the Commanders one game away from the Super Bowl with their first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1991. It also brought Daniels the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and established him as arguably the brightest young star in the entire league.
The Commanders retooled their roster for Daniels in 2025 as they try to get perhaps the greatest investment vs. result outcome in professional sports — winning a Super Bowl with a quarterback still on their rookie contract.
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