Jayden Daniels Reveals Favorite Play From His Rookie Season Was Against the Eagles
Washington Commanders rising star quarterback Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm in 2024. After winning the Heisman Trophy during his final season in college, Daniels got his NFL career started by winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. Daniels enjoyed one of the greatest rookie seasons in league history.
The 24-year-old quarterback broke several records, including the record for most total yards in a rookie season (including regular season and playoffs) previously held by Andrew Luck, with 5,416 total yards. Daniels helped the Commanders exceed everyone’s expectations during his epic rookie campaign.
Daniels led the Commanders all the way to the NFC Championship Game, where they were ultimately defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles. While Daniels’ rookie season was loaded with memorable moments including an improbable Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears, he revealed that his favorite play from his rookie season was against the Eagles in 2024.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 21: Jayden Daniels speaks onstage at Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Following his epic rookie season, Daniels was invited to join Joe Montana and Dan Marino on stage at Fanatics Fest for “The QB Playbook” panel, hosted by Taylor Rooks. Daniels was joined by two Hall of Fame quarterbacks that shared their thoughts on his rookie season and their own experiences in the NFL.
Rooks asked all three quarterbacks about the most memorable plays in their respective NFL careers and Daniels went in a different direction than many expected. While Rooks thought Daniels would choose his epic Hail Mary against the Bears, he opted to select his game-winning touchdown pass against the Eagles in Week 16.
Washington’s victory over the Eagles in late December was Philadelphia’s only loss in their final 17 games, including the postseason. Yet many Eagles fans believe there is an asterisk next to Washington’s “victory” over Philadelphia in Week 16 since Jalen Hurts left the game early due to a concussion and DeVonta Smith dropped a likely game-winning catch in crunch time.
Regardless of the thoughts of Eagles’ fans, it was a moment that clearly stood out to Daniels. He explained the reasoning for his choice to Rooks during the panel.
“Beating Philly at home,” Daniels said as he revealed his favorite moment. “It was just because of how the game went. It was a great team that we were facing with a great defense.”
“I had thrown a pick the drive before so I had another chance to go out there and make it up. Obviously that last play to be able to hit that pass to Jamison Crowder. So that’s probably my favorite play of the season last year.”
Daniels’ game-winning touchdown pass to Crowder was his fifth passing touchdown of the night against the Eagles. It capped off an epic performance that would have otherwise been overshadowed by his late interception, yet he made up for it with his clutch playmaking ability.
Yet Daniels fittingly didn’t bring up either of his other two games against the Eagles from his rookie season, where the Commanders lost. Although Daniels did give Eagles rising star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell some credit during the panel as well.
Rooks asked Daniels which cornerback was the toughest to play against during his rookie season. While thinking over his answer, a fan in the crowd shouted out “Quinyon!”
“Quinyon is a good choice,” Daniels responded. But he ultimately went a different route and chose his upcoming matchup against Denver Broncos two-time All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
Despite enjoying one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history, it’s clear that Daniels still has the Eagles on his mind. Daniels is chasing greatness at the next level and he understands that Philadelphia is in the way of him achieving his ultimate goal in the NFL.