The Commanders walked into the NFC Championship game with big hopes, fueled by a rookie QB who had been balling out all season. But by the end of the game, it was Heartbreak City. For Jayden Daniels, it wasn’t just another loss—it was the kind that hits you right in the gut and stays with you.

“S—. Sick. Like no. Obviously that one hurt and you know you gotta deal with that for the rest of the offseason,” Daniels said when asked how he felt the morning after the L. And let’s be real—this one stung. The Commanders got blasted (55-23), and they weren’t doing themselves any favors. Four turnovers? Yeah, you’re not surviving that against a squad like the Eagles. Daniels still did his thing, though, throwing for 255 yards and a touchdown while adding 48 on the ground with a rushing score. But even with his solid performance, it just wasn’t their night.

What hit different in his postgame comments, though, was how much love Jayden Daniels showed for his team. “It means the world. Just having veteran presence, older guys be able to take me in and under their wing,” he said. You can tell this dude genuinely rides for his teammates. It’s not just about X’s and O’s for him—it’s about the bond, the brotherhood, and soaking up all the knowledge he can from the vets.

Let’s not forget, that this season had some serious highs. Daniels went nuclear in Week 16 against these same Eagles. Tossing five TDs and hitting Jamison Crowder for the game-winner with six seconds left. But in the NFC Championship, those vibes just weren’t there. Sloppy mistakes and missed chances piled up, and even after a clutch sack by Dorance Armstrong to spark hope, the offense just couldn’t capitalize. Turnovers killed any momentum they had brewing.

Still, you can’t knock what Jayden Daniels did in his rookie year. He’s got the stats and the swagger to back it up. Throwing for 255 yards and scoring both in the air and on the ground in the NFC Championship? That’s not rookie energy—that’s franchise QB potential. The Commanders didn’t pull through, we admit that, but they’ve got something special in Daniels.

A bitter confession from the QB

Daniels kept it real when talking about the game. “It sucks, I don’t like losing,” he said, not sugarcoating it. That’s the kind of energy you want from your QB—he’s not ducking the L, but he’s also not letting it define him. Instead, he’s ready to grind this offseason and level up.

He also gave a shoutout to Commanders fans, calling them “very passionate.” Jayden Daniels gets it—this fanbase has been waiting forever for a squad to believe in, and he’s all about building on that hype. It’s not just about putting up numbers for him; he’s locked in on giving fans a reason to show up next season.

And you know Daniels is already looking at how tight this locker room became over the season. “As the year went on, man, you could see the guys getting closer and tighter,” he said. That chemistry? It’s the kind of thing that can turn a decent team into a legit contender if they keep building on it. Even though some faces will change next season, Daniels is all about keeping the same standard.

At the end of the day, the Commanders found their guy in Jayden Daniel. And they have to improve their defense. The L was rough, no doubt, but this kid’s got the talent, leadership, and fire to make sure this team doesn’t just stay stuck in the what-could’ve-been. The future? Yeah, it’s looking good.