Jayden Daniels‘ first career preseason drive on Saturday could not have gone much better for the Washington Commanders.
The No. 2 overall pick hurried his first throw, skying a screen pass intended for Austin Ekeler for an incompletion. However, Daniels’ second throw was a beauty.
Facing a third-and-6, Daniels calmly settled into a good pocket, looked off the safety, and launched a pretty parabola to Dyami Brown for a 42-yard gain.
It turns out he actually audibled to set up that big gainer.
“He made a check mid-play,” Commanders offensive lineman Sam Cosmi said of Daniels during the game broadcast, per The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala. “It turned out to be a big gain. … We bunkered down and really went in there. He was calm and collected, which is what you want to see, and it was really impressive. We all sat on the sideline and we were like, ‘Dang, that was really fun.’ So, I think everybody should be very excited just from that little sneak peek right there. I know I am. I know I am. I know the guys are fired up. I think we got a dude back there.”
Daniels was asked about the audible after the Commanders’ eventual 20-17 loss.
“Yeah. I mean it’s just something throughout practice, throughout the time I’ve been here that (offensive coordinator) Kliff (Kingsbury) was like, ‘Hey, if you don’t like this look, check it,’ ” Daniels said. “So, they came out in a certain look and we were running a play, I didn’t like it so I just checked it.”
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, however, told reporters that Daniels didn’t exactly have the greenlight to change plays.
“I thought of Top Gun,” Quinn said, referencing the iconic 1980s Tom Cruise movie. “‘Do I have permission to buzz the tower? No ghost rider, the pattern is full.’ So, I think on that one he wanted to ask for forgiveness and not permission, and then throw an absolute dime over the top to Dyami to go. It was a really cool play. I think it probably illustrates for him the awareness and checks and things that go into it. He did not ask for permission, so he went ahead and buzzed the tower anyway. It was a really cool play.”
The pass settled the rookie down. He managed the huddle well and got to the line comfortably. Daniels later zipped a short pass to Terry McLaurin for a minimal gain.
Daniels then reminded the league he’s also a weapon with his legs, taking a zone read on third-and-goal for an easy walk-in touchdown.
The Heisman Trophy winner gave way to Marcus Mariota after the singular touchdown drive. Daniels finished 2-of-3 passing for 45 yards.
It was as good of a debut as Quinn could have hoped for. Daniels shook off a shaky first pass, ran the offense well, splashed a big play on third down, and showed off his dual-threat ability.
Yes, it was one preseason drive against New York Jets’ backups, but Daniels flashed all the sky-high talent we knew he possessed entering the NFL. The vibes are good in DC.
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