ARLINGTON, Texas — Jayden Daniels was pulled at halftime during the Washington Commanders' regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys, as the team secured their playoff positioning with a thrilling 23-19 victory.
The rookie quarterback’s performance was lackluster, completing only 6 of his 12 passes for 38 yards and rushing for 27 yards, all before being removed from the game. With the Commanders entering the matchup already locked for the playoffs, it was unclear whether head coach Dan Quinn would take any precautions concerning his young star.
Initially, the strategy was to go all out. Quinn stated, "It wasn’t plan going in, and we thought we were going all the way." But as for the second half, he made the decision to switch to backup quarterback Marcus Mariota due to what he called mild soreness in Daniels' leg.
During the first half, Daniels faced mounting pressure from the Cowboys' defense, which sacked him four times, leaving him vulnerable and uncertain. This contest wasn’t merely about the stats, and the Commanders certainly had no intention of letting their dynamic rookie take on unwarranted risks, especially with the playoffs looming just around the corner.
"It felt like it was going to be a game where we were going to have to use the quarterback’s legs more," Quinn explained postgame. The decision was made to keep Daniels off the field for precautionary measures.
Despite his eagerness to take the field, Daniels supported his coach’s choice. "At the end of the day, I respect the decision DQ and them make. Now it’s just [about] getting ready for next week," Daniels said after the win. When questioned if he would have played through the soreness had the game been necessary, he remarked, "They would’ve had to drag me off the field."
With Daniels on the sidelines watching, Mariota stepped up to lead the Commanders to victory, showcasing his skills remarkably well. He orchestrated three touchdown drives, including one culminating with a game-winning pass to star receiver Terry McLaurin. This catch not only clinched the game but also allowed McLaurin to break the franchise record for most receiving touchdowns.
Moving forward, the Commanders are set for the wild-card round of the playoffs, which they will enter as the sixth seed after this final regular-season victory. While it’s still uncertain how much practice Daniels will partake this week, the expectation remains high for his return to form. Commenting on the upcoming playoff matchup, Daniels stated, "Just some leg soreness. It’s more precautionary. It’s nothing major, really."
All eyes will be on Daniels as he recuperates and gears up for the Commanders' matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, following Washington's recent success against the Cowboys. Despite concerns about his health, Daniels has solidified his place as not only the team’s starting quarterback but also as a leading contender for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award. He has already compiled over 3,500 yards passing, along with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions, making his inaugural season one to celebrate, even if it may close on somewhat of a question mark.
Mariota reflected on their relationship, noting, "[Our relationship] has been special. He’s an unbelievable guy; it’s fun to be around him; it’s fun to see him grow." Following the win, the team’s morale was evidently high, and the coaching staff will be eager to protect Daniels, whose record-breaking 891 rushing yards this season as the first-year quarterback indicate his necessary contribution and potential future successes to come.
The Commanders, now aiming for their first deep playoff run, must find the right balance between taking precautions for their star player and gearing up for intense competition. Whether or not Jayden Daniels can bounce back fully next week against the Buccaneers will be the story worth watching.