Jayden Daniels threw the ball out of bounds on fourth-and-two against the San Francisco 49ers, baffling teammates and fans alike. Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he had to tell Daniels, “You still take your shot,” revealing the quarterback didn’t grasp the basic rule of not throwing away the ball on fourth down. It was an unusual moment for a player in his third NFL season and after five years in college, and it came amid a challenging start to the 2026 campaign for Washington.
The Commanders enter their Week 7 bye with a 1-4-1 record, struggling through injuries and inconsistencies. Daniels, the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has shown flashes of his ability despite the setbacks around him. He has started four of the six games and is the team’s standout player this year.
Washington has battled injuries to critical offensive players. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the team’s best offensive lineman, has been absent for all of Daniels’ starts. The loss of top receiver Terry McLaurin came early in Monday night’s game against the 49ers when he suffered a torn patellar tendon in the first quarter. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was placed on injured reserve last week, removing another key offensive weapon for at least four weeks.
The offensive line has been unstable throughout training camp and preseason, with the Commanders rotating among Nick Allegretti, rookie Matt Gulbin, and veteran Lucas Patrick at center. This lack of consistency has added pressure on Daniels to perform under difficult conditions.
Despite the circumstances, Daniels has produced respectable numbers. He is completing 64.7 percent of his passes in 2026, with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Against the 49ers, he completed 29 of 40 passes for 300 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, delivering his season-high 110.4 passer rating. He averaged 7.5 yards per attempt while wearing a restrictive brace on his left arm that limits full extension.
Daniels also showed his mobility two weeks ago against the New York Giants, rushing for 38- and 26-yard touchdown runs. His ability to move the pocket and pick up first downs with his feet has been a bright spot amid the team’s struggles.
Still, recent decisions have raised questions about his on-field awareness. Against the Giants, Daniels was advised to throw the ball away if a short completion wasn’t available in the closing moments. Instead, he attempted to run, letting the clock expire and costing Washington a chance to attempt a game-winning field goal.
Then came the fourth-and-two throw out of bounds on Monday, an unusual decision for any quarterback. The moment was widely discussed on social media and analysts pointed to it as a sign of growing concerns about Daniels’ situational judgement.
Quinn’s admission that he had to instruct Daniels on such a fundamental aspect of play calls attention to the challenges the young quarterback faces. It also highlights the broader difficulties the Commanders have endured this season.
Washington’s record stands at 1-4-1 overall and 0-3-1 in the games Daniels has started. The team will use the bye week to regroup and address the mounting injury problems before returning to the field.
Daniels remains the brightest spot on the roster, but the Commanders will need more than flashes of talent if they hope to turn the season around. The next weeks will test his ability to grow and lead under pressure.
According to Yahoo Sports.
