“He’s different.”

Defensive tackle Jon Allen was even more emphatic.

“He is the answer,” Allen declared.

No one in that locker room disagreed. Not after a night where Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Commanders to a 38-33 win over the Bengals on “Monday Night Football.” His game-sealing 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, delivered under pressure from a blitzing defender, was a defining moment.

“I think he grew up tonight,” McLaurin said. “I’m so excited for him. As a rookie, when you make those throws, your confidence just skyrockets. And right now, his confidence is through the roof.”

With this victory, Washington (2-1) has now won two consecutive games and has scored on 14 straight drives, excluding kneel-downs. Daniels has been the spark the team needed, completing 80.3% of his passes over three games, throwing for 662 yards and two touchdowns without a single interception.

“He’s continuing to grow on the job,” Washington head coach Dan Quinn said.

In Week 2, Daniels led the team to a game-winning field goal, and on Monday, he threw a touchdown pass on his final full possession. His teammates have been praising him since the spring, and their confidence in the young quarterback has only grown stronger.

When asked what makes Daniels different from the quarterbacks he’s played with before, guard Sam Cosmi said, “The only word I can really say is hope. I believe. We believe.”

Even when the play clock was ticking down, Daniels remained calm, motioning to the sideline for the play call. His composure in those moments left a lasting impression on his teammates.

“It’s shocking how composed he is,” said Washington guard Nick Allegretti. “He doesn’t panic. He just stays focused and leads the huddle. His composure keeps the whole offense steady.”

Daniels was tasked with converting three crucial fourth downs—two through the air and one with his legs—and succeeded each time. A fourth-and-2 pass to rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey for 30 yards set up the Commanders’ first touchdown. A fourth-and-1 run in the fourth quarter led to a field goal.

The most significant play came on a fourth-and-4 from the Bengals’ 39-yard line with just over four minutes remaining. Daniels completed a 9-yard pass to tight end Zach Ertz, keeping the drive alive. Three plays later, facing a full-on blitz, Daniels launched a perfect 45-yard throw to McLaurin for a 27-yard touchdown.

McLaurin had asked offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury for the ball on that play. Daniels delivered.

“When we needed it most, Jayden took the hit and made the throw,” McLaurin said. “Those are big-time throws for a rookie.”

Daniels’ performance throughout the night was filled with clutch moments, but his first touchdown pass of the game was to an unexpected target—backup tackle Trent Scott, who caught a 1-yard pass in the third quarter.

“I was nervous as hell,” Scott admitted. “I just thought, ‘Don’t drop the ball.'”

While Daniels’ teammates aren’t surprised—Allen noted that it’s what he sees from him “every day in practice”—Daniels himself admits the experience has been a bit surreal.

“Yes, it’s all new to me,” Daniels said. “But I’ve put in the work, and I believe that what you do in the dark always comes to light