PHILADELPHIA – Ultimately, Jayden Daniels’ impressive rookie season didn’t end as he had hoped.

No first-year quarterback has yet led their team to a Super Bowl, and now Daniels finds himself among those who were unable to win in the conference championship, as the Washington Commanders lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 55-23, on Sunday in the NFC title game.

However, it’s impossible to overlook the fact that with Daniels under center, the Commanders reached this phase of the playoffs.

“There’s plenty of blame to share,” defensive lineman Jonathan Allen remarked after the game, “but number five has been outstanding for us this year.”

The disappointment of losing to a longtime rival, just one victory away from Super Bowl 59, was evident as Daniels asked the media to pardon his (non-explicit) language.

“Man, it sucks. Man, it just sucks,” Daniels expressed. “Excuse my language, but I couldn’t be prouder of my teammates in the locker room. This was year one, and we had so many new faces. The veterans did an amazing job helping us come together, and we hit this point, but in the end, we lost. It’s tough, but we’ll move forward from this.”

The experience of losing in the NFC title game is one Daniels will carry into future seasons.

“I don’t want to feel this way ever again,” Daniels stated. “But you have to face it, you know, and move on.”

He completed 29 of 48 passes for 255 yards, throwing one touchdown and rushing for another, but also threw one interception. He was pressured throughout the game, being sacked three times as Philadelphia’s defensive line consistently overpowered the banged-up Commanders’ offensive line trying to protect him.

“It’s just another game for me. That’s how I approach it,” Daniels said. “You need to go out there and earn your spot. We didn’t earn it tonight.

“We believe we belong here. Credit to Philly for what they accomplished. They’re a great team, and I wish them the best.”

Deeper playoff runs may become familiar for Daniels and the Commanders, but nothing is guaranteed in the NFL.

“Every season is different. It’s tough to think too far ahead,” noted wide receiver Terry McLaurin. “What I can say is that this has been an incredible journey. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

The Commanders didn’t come this far just to be satisfied with participation; their goal was to win the Lombardi Trophy. McLaurin mentioned it will take time to fully appreciate the progress made during Daniels’ rookie season.

“I’m intrigued about where we’re headed,” he said. “It’s been enjoyable, but to end it like this hurts.”

Having experienced players like McLaurin and linebacker Bobby Wagner – who has taken on a “big brother” role for Daniels – has been beneficial for him. While McLaurin is expected to return, other key players like Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz, who recorded 11 catches for 104 yards, may not be back.

“It’s obviously difficult,” Daniels acknowledged. “This loss hurts.”

Throughout the season, Daniels consistently demonstrated excellent decision-making and ball security (though an interception in the end zone came late in the game at the hands of Eagles rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell). He showcased his typical playmaking ability by dashing for a 10-yard touchdown that narrowed the gap to 11 points in the third quarter, and he led a field-goal drive with no timeouts before halftime to reduce the score to 27-12.

“That kid can do it all,” Eagles linebacker Zack Baun remarked. “He reads defenses well, extends plays with his legs to throw or run, and makes sound decisions. It takes all 11 guys to contain him.”

It’s likely that Daniels will receive Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in the coming weeks.

In this crucial game of his career, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn saw the same player he had witnessed throughout the season. Daniels kept his cool even after taking brutal hits, never getting down when his teammates fumbled the ball, which happened three times. He remained steady in one of the toughest environments – Lincoln Financial Field on Championship Sunday.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s a game too big for him,” Quinn noted. “He possesses a unique competitiveness that sets him apart.”

During the Commanders’ final drive, even with the game’s outcome already decided, Quinn decided to take Daniels out.

“It hurt him to come out at the end,” Quinn explained. “He wanted to stay in. I told him it was my decision. That’s just his competitive nature.”

And that’s why the Commanders will always have a shot at making it back to this point with Jayden Daniels at the helm.

Follow Chris Bumbaca on X @BOOMbaca.