QB Jayden Daniels impresses in preseason debut for Commanders - ESPN

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels saw an alignment he didn't like, changed the play and then made a throw that left him, and his teammates, smiling — about the present and the future.

In Daniels' preseason debut, he completed 2 of 3 passes for 45 yards in his only series, but it was a 42-yard toss in a 20-17 loss to the New York Jets that left others impressed.

It was a third-and-6, and Daniels was alone in shotgun formation. But with the Jets playing tight coverage, Daniels checked from a screen to a go-ball, holding the safety in the middle of the field with his eyes before finding receiver Dyami Brown, who was well defended, down the right sideline.

«An absolute dime,» Washington coach Dan Quinn told reporters.

The Jets did not play their defensive starters, and Washington was missing its top three offensive tackles: rookie Brandon Coleman (shoulder), Andrew Wylie (tightness in undisclosed area) and Cornelius Lucas (personal reasons).

Because of those line absences, and because Daniels received a lot of work during a joint practice Thursday, Quinn wanted to limit his action Saturday. But he saw enough to say, «It was a great day for him.»

Daniels' first pass was an errant toss on a screen to veteran running back Austin Ekeler. Daniels also completed a screen to receiver Terry McLaurin. Daniels capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run off a zone read, faking a handoff to Ekeler. Daniels ran wide to the right and scored untouched.

After his series ended, Daniels ran to the stands and handed the ball to his mom.

«It was awesome,» Daniels said. «Obviously she's very excited and happy. I've got to fight her to get the ball back now.»

But it was the checked call that stood out most. Daniels told reporters