One loss still haunts this Commanders star quarterback

After a historic rookie run, Jayden Daniels says the sting of the NFC Championship loss to the Eagles still lingers. He's using that memory as fuel for Year 2.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) walks off the field after losing the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Second-year Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels made an unforgettable entrance into the NFL last season, turning heads and rewriting expectations from the moment he stepped on the field.

As a rookie, Daniels led the Commanders to a remarkable 12-5 record—an incredible turnaround from their 4-13 finish the year before. The Commanders not only climbed out of the NFC East basement, but they also finished second in the division, making Daniels' debut one of the most impressive by a rookie quarterback in league history.

But Daniels didn’t stop there. He went on to lead Washington to the NFC Championship Game. However, that historic run came to a painful end when the Commanders fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in a 55-23 loss. And for Daniels, the sting of that game still lingers. “Every day, probably until like March or April … I still think about it,” Daniels told WUSA9 in a recent interview.

Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

It was the team’s first appearance in 30 years, dating back to 1992 and a milestone that reinvigorated the fanbase and signaled a new era in D.C. The defeat weighs heavily on him, not just because of the score, but because of how far the team had come and how much further they hoped to go. And the sting didn’t fade, especially with offseason reminders, like seeing players such as Saquon Barkley, who helped end their run.

Daniels’ humility and hunger to improve are already setting the tone for Year 2. He knows the bar is now higher and is using the sting of the NFC Championship loss to fuel his offseason and aims to take the Commanders to the next level this season.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 offseason.

More Washington Commanders News

• Commanders star gets a huge honor but isn't satisfied

• Marshon Lattimore could make or break Commanders

• Commanders defense has a lot to prove in training camp

• Commanders are suddenly a team everyone wants to join