LANDOVER, Md. – While he lay on his back at the newly named Northwest Stadium, Jayden Daniels signaled to the audience of Washington Commanders fans that he was alright, despite clearly enduring some degree of pain.

The first-year quarterback had taken a heavy hit from two defenders of the New York Giants, one of whom tackled the 210-pound player with significant force during the second quarter. The crowd was silent as Daniels attempted to regain his breath; he missed one play but returned to the field to applause from relieved fans.

Although the Commanders offense did not score a touchdown, the No. 2 overall draft pick still celebrated his first career victory on Sunday, finishing with a 21-18 win against the Giants.

“Sometimes you just get the wind knocked out of you, and you need to catch your breath,” Daniels shared after the win.

Daniels’ willingness to run the ball—along with his tendency to avoid sliding—has underscored both the potential perils and payoffs of his playing style. This was evident from the tense moments of that initial rushing attempt to him orchestrating a game-winning drive that concluded with Austin Seibert’s seventh field goal right at the end of regulation.

He completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards with a quarterback rating of 99.1. Daniels also rushed the ball 10 times for 44 yards and was sacked five times, but adeptly evaded at least one additional sack in the first half with a well-timed spin move that turned into a positive gain. However, he did receive a questionable late hit from Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke after he stepped out of bounds.

“You have to know when to take risks,” Daniels advised. “Go out there, manage the game, and make the necessary plays.”

As a rookie, Daniels doesn’t assume those risky plays will always benefit from penalties.

The coaching staff faced scrutiny after Daniels’ 16 rushing attempts in the previous week, which resulted in a loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I wouldn’t say I’m particularly ‘worried,'” offensive coordinator Quinn stated following Daniels’ rough outing in Week 2. “It’s undoubtedly a narrative we will continue to address because we wish to minimize the hits he takes.”

This past week, Kingsbury explained that the first game of a quarterback’s career is often about “surviving”—it’s a time for immediate reactions. Daniels’ helmet came off twice during the second game.

“I’ve worked with several players who excelled at making plays with their legs, and it’s a balancing act between knowing when to hold back and when to let loose,” mentioned Kingsbury, who coached Kyler Murray for four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. “As Daniels gains experience, both he and I will better learn how to work together.”

“He’s proficient at identifying openings and knows when to step out of bounds. However, it’s crucial for him to prioritize his safety, allowing him to continue developing. You can’t do that if you’re sidelined with injuries.”

On Sunday, Coach Quinn noted that there were four designed plays for quarterback runs, with Daniels even changing one of them at the line of scrimmage. They will analyze the footage to evaluate these rushing plays just as they did the prior week.

Regardless, Daniels’ resilience has left an impression on his fellow players.

“He’s just a rookie,” remarked running back Brian Robinson, who rushed for 133 yards on 17 attempts. “There’s a limit to what I expect from him, but his willingness to put his body on the line to secure first downs shows his commitment, and I’ll be there to support him.”

Robinson values the energy that Daniels brings to the field. He noted that the rookie maintains a positive attitude, even during challenging situations, like the pivotal drive against the Giants.

“He’s remained unfazed by any setbacks,” Robinson commented.

The decisive play during the final drive rested on Daniels’ arm. After the two-minute warning, tied at 18, the Commanders executed a three-receiver concept on the left side. Daniels received the snap in the shotgun formation on second-and-10 and initially looked left before finding the solitary receiver on the right. Noah Brown made a cut toward the middle, mirroring a route that proved effective during their first drive. This 34-yard reception set the stage for Seibert’s game-winning kick.

“Those moments are what you play for,” Daniels said. “That’s when you make your mark in this league.”