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Jayden Daniels Dazzles in First Preseason Drive As Commanders QB

Tom Dierberger

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. / Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports
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The Jayden Daniels era in the nation's capital is off to a promising start.

Daniels, the No. 2 pick of the 2024 NFL draft, conducted an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the Washington Commanders' preseason tilt against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Saturday.

Daniels's first completed pass in the preseason was a 42-yard strike to receiver Dyami Brown on third-and-6, as the rookie fit it into a tight window.

Seven plays later, Daniels scampered into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Commanders up 7–0.

Daniels's day was done after that successful drive, ending his afternoon with 45 yards on 2-of-3 passing to go along with his 3-yard touchdown run. Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel and Sam Hartman took the Commanders' quarterback baton from there.

Daniels's next chance to showcase his first-round talent in the preseason will be next Saturday against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Tom Dierberger

TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.

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