"When Jayden Daniels embraced Caleb Williams on the field after their Week 8 heartstopper last season, the two quarterbacks couldn't have known how decisively their paths were about to diverge. Daniels, the Washington Commanders star who was drafted No. 2 in 2024, threw the winning Hail Mary and walked into a spotlight that kept getting brighter as he won Offensive Rookie of the Year and led the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game."
"Keim: Daniels did not change. Network morning shows reached out to have him on; he declined. Several days later he said he was "onto the new week." He showed up to work at the same time each day: around 5:30 a.m. But for others, it created a legend: franchise savior heaves 52-yard scoring pass with a broken rib that knocked him out of the previous game in the first quarter. "He's unfazed by those things and will do anything to win," quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard said."
When Jayden Daniels threw the winning Hail Mary after Week 8, his trajectory accelerated: he was drafted No. 2 in 2024, won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and led Washington to the NFC Championship Game. Caleb Williams, the top pick, faced a difficult start as the Bears lost 10 straight, prompting firings of head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The teams meet again with Washington 3-2 and Chicago 2-2 coming off a bye. Daniels maintained a steady routine after the game, declining media appearances and continuing early work habits, while the play created a legend of toughness.
Read at ESPN.com
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