Jul 17, 2026, 12:30 PM CUT

Jayden Daniels praises Patrick Mahomes’ performance in the Chiefs’ dominant win

NFL, American Football Herren, USA Washington Commanders Organized Team Activities Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels 5 watches as other quarterbacks run drills at the Washington Commanders first week of organized team activities on May 27, 2026 at the BigBear.ai Performance Center. Jeff Scudder / Image of Ashburn Virginia United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: x xJeffxScudderx JeffxScudderx iosphotos410844

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels played seven games last season, but you could argue his most memorable game was one he watched from the sidelines.

The release of Netflix’s Quarterback has brought back some memorable moments from the 2025 season. During Week 8, the Commanders visited the Chiefs, and the two teams went head-to-head at Arrowhead.

Daniels, who was out due to a hamstring strain, watched from the sideline as Kansas City defeated Washington 28-7.

“Oh, Bro, I’m glazing. He’s good, bro,” Daniels admitted in the series while watching Mahomes fire passes straight into his receivers' hands, according to a clip shared by Netflix Sports on X.

December 7, 2025: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes 15 looks to pass during an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. /CSM Kansas City United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251207_zma_c04_430 Copyright: xDavidxSmithx

Mahomes threw for 299 yards that night, marking his third-highest single-game passing total of the 2025 season. And as Daniels was out, backup QB Marcus Mariota suited up instead.

“I appreciate just great QB play. It’s an art. No glaze, like Patrick Mahomes is good at football,” Daniels said in a clip shared by Netflix Sports on X.

The numbers explain why Daniels was impressed: Kansas City gained an average of 8.9 yards on each play during its first three offensive series after halftime.

The dominant performance marked their third consecutive victory, pushing their record to 5-3 on the season. Defensively, they held Washington to its lowest single-game scoring output in over two years.

Daniels’ praise showed how much he respects top quarterback play, but his own next step will depend on what he does when he returns to the field.

Jayden Daniels gets a chance to prove himself in 2026

Entering his third NFL season, Jayden Daniels has a crucial opportunity to reclaim his spot among the league’s elite young quarterbacks.

After a stellar rookie campaign was followed by an injury-plagued second year, opinions on his trajectory are split, as he was left off ESPN’s recent top-10 quarterback rankings.

Weighing in on the snub, NFL journalist Cameron Wolfe pointed out some serious concerns.

“It’s an opportunity for Jayden Daniels to remind people who he truly is,” Wolfe said in a clip shared on X. “It’s not because of his talent. They can’t trust him right now to stay on the field.”

Daniels helped Washington reach the NFC Championship Game in his first season and won Offensive Rookie of the Year. The next season, injuries limited him to only seven games, while the Commanders finished with a 5-12 record.

The Commanders QB did not make ESPN’s top 10 quarterback list, but he received an honorable mention. Mahomes ranked second for the first time after being at the top for three consecutive years.

Can Daniels use what he learned from Mahomes to stay healthy and have a strong 2026 season? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Written by

Shreya Mishra

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore