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John Keim, editor at ESPN
TAMPA – Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels evaded Tampa Bay’s blitz several times and showed what he can do with his legs. He took care of the ball and never lost it despite the pressure. He remained calm and patient.
But he also threw up receiver Terry McLaurin’s pass on a deep ball that could have led to a 70-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second half. And Daniels failed to complete a single pass to a wideout for more than 15 yards.
In other words, it was a mixed debut for Daniels in Washington’s 37-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He threw for 184 yards – he had just 46 at halftime – and ran for another 88 yards, but the Washington offense wasn’t dangerous enough against the Bucs. Daniels ran for two touchdowns, both from one yard out.
“I think he can take full advantage of everything he has, use his legs and be aggressive on the field,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said. “There are still a lot of things we want to improve. But what I can tell you is we have a hell of a fighter in him. We’re just getting started with him and the guys.”
The Commanders (0-1) host the New York Giants (0-1) in Week 2.
Washington’s roster consisted of just 21 players from the previous coaching staff, including 10 on offense. But Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner, gave hope to a franchise that was starting a new quarterback for the seventh consecutive season. Daniels became Washington’s 11th starting quarterback since the start of the 2019 season.
His first pass nearly ended in disaster when he threw the ball behind running back Brian Robinson Jr. on a swing pass. It was ruled a backwards pass and therefore a fumble that Washington eventually recovered. The Commanders’ wideouts combined for seven catches and 55 yards.
But Daniels also managed four 10-yard runs to add energy to an offense that needs a lot of it.
“I’ll give myself a hard grade: We didn’t win. I’m a fighter,” Daniels said. “But overall it went pretty well. We left a few things on the field.”
“(But) tomorrow I’ll be over it. Then I’m going to New York.”
Twice that “stuff” was his helmet – it came off twice, including on a roughness penalty against defensive back Antoine Winfield, who hit him in the helmet at the end of a 12-yard run. Another time the helmet came off on a run near the goal line – it would have been a touchdown had the play not been called off because of his head protection.
But Daniels wasn’t worried about the number of runs he had to drive in. Nor did the Winfield hit bother him. Despite the number of runs, he was rarely hit hard.
“Man, that’s a question for the coaches,” Daniels said when asked how he protected himself. “That’s something they have to figure out. I went down and got what I could get. At the goal line, I wouldn’t go down for that – I’ve got to score a goal.”
Washington’s players left the game with the same feelings about Daniels as they had when the game began. Despite the loss, they were impressed with various aspects of his day.
“His ability to remain calm despite adversity was still very strong,” said guard Sam Cosmi. “I didn’t feel any panic.”
“It was really his poise in the pocket,” McLaurin said. “There are moments when he knows he has to duck and run. I know it was garbage time, but that’s a good gauge to see how guys compete. He tried to tackle guys at the goal line; he wants every yard. The thing that stood out the most was his way of communicating and his optimistic attitude.”
And McLaurin said the silver lining is that they know Daniels is the present and future of the franchise.
“You don’t want the quarterback looking over your shoulder,” McLaurin said. “Sometimes in the past, guys have felt like they have to look over their shoulder. He’s only going to get better through these live practices. He’s done a great job in practice; he’s done a great job in the joint practices (against the Jets and Dolphins). It’s different when you’re out there in the game. He puts in the time and work. I know he’s going to make a better jump next week. I see him as a guy who’s continuing to step up.”
