American football Hero Jayden Daniels

American football Hero Jayden Daniels

CINCINNATI — As Washington's backup safety and special teams player Jeremy Reaves left the lively visitors' locker room, he pointed toward quarterback Jayden Daniels, headphones on, and simply said, "He's different." Watch more: Defensive tackle Jon Allen was more blunt: "He is the answer." No one in that locker room disagreed, especially after a night where Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-33 victory over the Bengals on "Monday Night Football." He capped the performance with a game-sealing 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Terry McLaurin, delivered while being hit by a blitzing defender. "I think he grew up tonight," McLaurin said. "I'm so excited for him because, as a rookie, when you make throws like that, your confidence skyrockets. And his confidence is through the roof right now." Washington (2-1) has now won two straight games and has scored on 14 consecutive drives that didn’t end in a kneel-down. Much of this momentum is due to Daniels’ stellar play. In three games, he's completed 80.3% of his passes, thrown for 662 yards and two touchdowns, and hasn’t thrown a single interception. "He's growing on the job," said Washington coach Dan Quinn. Daniels led a game-winning field goal drive in Week 2, and on Monday night, threw a touchdown on his final full possession. His teammates have praised him ever since they started practicing with him in the spring, and their belief in him has only grown. "The only word I can use is hope," said guard Sam Cosmi, when asked how Daniels differs from previous quarterbacks. "I believe. We believe." Daniels displayed his composure when the play clock was running down, signaling calmly to the sideline for the play call without showing any signs of panic. This level of control impressed his teammates. "It's shocking how composed he is, but at the same time, it’s not," said Washington guard Nick Allegretti. "He doesn’t panic. He just says, ‘The situation is what it is. Let’s get 11 guys in the huddle and call a play.’ He’s as composed as any rookie I’ve seen at the hardest position in football. If he's calm, everyone else stays calm." Daniels was asked to convert three fourth downs—two with his arm and one with his legs—and he succeeded each time. A fourth-and-2 pass to rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey gained 30 yards, setting up Washington’s first touchdown. A fourth-and-1 run early in the fourth quarter led to a field goal. The defining moment came late in the game. On fourth-and-4 from the Bengals' 39-yard line, with Washington up by only five, Daniels found tight end Zach Ertz for a crucial 9-yard gain. Three plays later, facing a blitz, Daniels launched a perfect 45-yard throw under pressure, hitting McLaurin for a 27-yard touchdown. McLaurin had told offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury he wanted the ball on that play, and Daniels delivered. "When we needed it most, Jayden took a hit and made the throw," McLaurin said. "Those are big-time throws for a rookie." Despite his success, Daniels may have to negotiate with a teammate to keep his first touchdown ball—it went to backup tackle Trent Scott, who caught a 1-yard touchdown pass earlier in the game. "I want to cut that ball in half," Scott joked. "I was nervous as hell—just don’t drop the ball." Though his teammates aren’t surprised—Allen said, "It’s what we see every day in practice"—Daniels admitted he’s still adjusting to the spotlight. Readmore: