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Check another box for Washington Commander’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Since being drafted number two overall this spring, Daniels has passed every test, albeit easy ones.
Saturday against the New York Jets in the Meadowlands, Daniels completed two of three passes for 45 yards and capped the Commanders’ first drive taking the ball on a run option play with Austin Eckler and scoring from the three-yard line.
The most impressive play of the drive was a 42-yard go route to Dyami Brown on third and six from the Commanders’ own 36-yard line. After the game, head coach Dan Quinn said Daniels checked out of the play that was called because he didn’t like the look. It was something he wasn’t supposed to do, although Quinn appeared to give Daniels a pass.
“I thought of Top Gun. Do I have permission to buzz the tower? Negative Ghost Rider the pattern is full,” Quinn joked after the game. “So, I think on that one he wanted to ask for forgiveness and not permission. Then throw an absolute dime over the top to Dyami to go. It was a really cool play. I think it illustrates for him the awareness and checks and things that go into it.”
The touchdown run was the last play of the day for Daniels, who was replaced on the next series by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.
The final score, Jets 20 Commanders 17 is of course, irrelevant. Both teams are trying to figure out which 53 players will make the opening week roster, which ones will fill out the practice squad, and which will be cut. Quinn said even Daniels’s performance was secondary compared to the game day experience.
“Anytime you go out to compete there’s a process to go through to get ready,” Quinn said.“And part of my discussion with Jayden and some of the other guys today is how’d you like to whole process? It’s different from college.”
Post Game Notes:
Rookie tackle Brandon Coleman was one of 11 players that missed the game. Quinn said Coleman has a shoulder/pec strain and would be evaluated later in the week to determine if he can play against Miami.
Rookies flash:
Tight end Ben Sinnott, one of Washington’s 2024 second-round draft picks caught three passes for 57 yards, tops on the team. His biggest play was a 44-yard catch and run from backup quarterback Jeff Driskell.
Defensive back Mike Sainristill continued his impressive camp as well. Although he only recorded one official tackle, Sainristill was around the ball constantly in his brief playing time.
Former first-round draft pick Jamin Davis is attempting to convert to edge rusher. Although he’s struggled in practice, he played well Saturday recording four tackles, two solo, and consistently set the edge against the Jets offensive line.
