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Jayden Daniels understood the magnitude of his game-winning Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
“I just heard people screaming and the sideline rush the field,” Daniels detailed to reporters after the Washington Commanders’ 18-15 win, per Zak Keefer of The Athletic. “That was kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Like, not too many people to experience that.”
With two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the ball at the Commanders’ 48-yard line, Daniels bought time in the pocket before tossing a deep pass towards the end zone. The ball headed into a crowd of receivers and defensive backs, getting tipped up in the air before it was caught by Noah Brown for the improbable touchdown.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was also amazed by the play.
“That was wild,” Quinn said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). “That was so much fun, and what I love about the team is that we’re never out of the fight.”
Daniels’ status heading into the game was uncertain, as he was listed as questionable with a rib issue on Washington’s injury report. He was able to suit up and add another incredible moment to his stellar rookie season, though.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft finished 21-of-38 for 326 yards and a touchdown against the Bears, adding 52 more yards on the ground.
Even though Daniels couldn’t lead the Commanders into the end zone prior to the final play of the game, he helped the offense repeatedly sustain drives and remain competitive. Washington finished the game with 481 total yards, with its first 12 points resulting from field goals by Austin Seibert.
Daniels has now thrown for 1,736 yards and seven touchdowns compared to just two interceptions in eight starts, completing 71.8 percent of his passes. The dual-threat quarterback has also remained effective on the ground, picking up 424 yards and four more scores.
The Commanders’ last-second win allowed them to improve to 6-2, good enough for the top spot in the NFC East.
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