The entirety of Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels‘ preseason game action amounted to just 3 plays against the Detroit Lions on Saturday.
For those 3 plays, the Commanders’ offense and Daniels looked lost — including a heart-stopping moment when he was sacked on the 2nd play after the 2024 No. 2 overall pick missed 10 games due to injuries in 2025.
The Commanders were already without backup quarterback Marcus Mariota against the Lions after he injured
“Jayden Daniels’ 2026 preseason was 3 snaps: Pressured, Sacked, Handoff,” The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala wrote on her official X account on Saturday.
“Jayden Daniels got one series,” ESPN’s John Keim wrote on X on Saturday. “If there was any thought of bringing him back, the protection on the 1st series had to cement an easy ‘no.’ Sam Hartman now in the game.”
The next time anyone sees Daniels in live action will almost certainly be in the regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, September 13 in Philadelphia.
“Jayden Daniels’ day is done,” Commanders reporter Grant Paulsen wrote on his official X account on Saturday. “He played three snaps and went 0-for-1 with a throwaway, a sack, and a handoff. That will be the entirety of his preseason. Three snaps, zero throws past the line of scrimmage. Next time you see him will be against the Eagles’ top-rated defense.”
Reactions and Overreactions to Brief Appearance
As can be expected, social media was brutal in reaction to Daniels’ forgettable preseason outing.
“Better off just not playing Jayden Daniels today,” Cooper Knows Ball wrote on X. “Zero completions and sacked once.”
It’s worth pointing out the Commanders are playing without starting left offensive tackle and NFL All-Pro Laremy Tunsil, who could miss the entire season with a torn triceps tendon, and without projected starting center Nick Allegretti, who is out with a calf injury.
“Offensive line needs to be addressed smh,” Commanders fan Max Julien wrote on X.
“(Dan Quinn) isn’t taking his job seriously,” Commanders fan Syah Tookluch wrote on X. “What’s the point of (Daniels) even playing if that’s what he day gonna be like?”
“Not a fan of that usage,” Commanders fan Big Drip wrote on their official X account. “Give him 2 or 3 drives.”
“It’s absurd,” Commanders fan KB wrote on X. “(Daniels) looked rusty and sped up with that line … new offense why not let him get some confidence against Lions 2s? Jalen Carter and Davis are coming. Idk how that drive is confidence-building … terrible coaching decision by Quinn. Livid.”
Low Expectations for Commanders in 2026
It’s been a wild swing for the Commanders and their fans. Just 1 year ago, they entered the season as Dark Horse Super Bowl contenders after going 12-5 and advancing to the NFC Championship Game in Daniels’ rookie year in 2024.
The ensuing 5-12 season in 2025 — and Daniels’ inability to stay healthy — has drastically changed expectations for 2026.
According to DraftKings, the Over/Under win total betting line for the Commanders was at 7.5 wins as of August 22. In terms of the NFC East Division, that’s the same projection as the lowly New York Giants and discernibly behind both the Eagles (10.5 wins) and Dallas Cowboys (9.5 wins).
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Looks Lost in Shaky Preseason Debut