Like all Washington Commanders fans, Kevin Durant has been blown away by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The NBA superstar and Washington D.C. native reacted to Daniels’ improbable Week 8 Hail Mary during a Thursday appearance on the “Up & Adams” show. Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, authored the miracle play to earn a last-second victory over Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears last Sunday.
Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary Was Lightest Highlight on Rookie’s Impressive Résumé
Daniels and the Commanders trailed 15-12 with two seconds remaining at Northwest Stadium. Playing with sore ribs, Daniels used his legs to evade pass rushers before launching a 52-yard game-winning bomb to receiver Noah Brown, who corralled the tipped ball.
In case you somehow missed it, here’s a replay:
HAIL NOAH!!!!!!!!!!
📺 #CHIvsWAS CBS pic.twitter.com/nRr3sIF17K
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 27, 2024
The stunning play moved Washington to 6-2 and sole possession of first place in the NFC East. A team many thought would finish near the bottom of the NFC standings now appears primed for a playoff run.
And though the entire team deserves credit, including Dan Quinn’s defense, it’s Daniels who’s transformed the Commanders into one of the league’s best and most entertaining outfits.
Kevin Durant at a Loss for Words After Daniels’ Hail Mary
Durant posted on the X platform moments after Daniels authored the improbable play.
HAHAHHAA LETS GO @Commanders
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 27, 2024
A few days later, the Phoenix Suns star discussed Daniels’ Hail Mary during an “Up & Adams” segment.
“I happened to look down at my phone for a split second and looked back up, and the ball’s in [Brown’s] hands,” Durant said Wednesday. “And I could not believe — I just stood up in shock. It took me, like, a good 30 seconds to really say something after the play. I was in total shock.
“My phone instantly went crazy because all my friends and Commanders fans went crazy. … I suspect we all felt the same thing at that moment.”
.@Commanders superfan Kevin Durant takes us through his emotions watching the Jayden Daniels HAIL MARY 😱🔊
"It took me like a good 30 seconds to say something after the play…" @heykayadams @KDTrey5 | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/EOeeS9Q8ZY
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 30, 2024
In the first eight games, Daniels posted a 71.8% completion percentage along with 1,736 yards, seven touchdowns, and just two interceptions. The dual-threat QB added 74 rushes for 424 yards and four scores.
Daniels is well on his way to one of the more impressive rookie QB seasons in NFL history and looks like a shoo-in for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
But does the LSU product have a realistic shot at taking home an even better piece of hardware?
Could Daniels Win the NFL MVP Award?
Jim Brown is the only player ever to win NFL MVP for a rookie season (1957). And, despite his incredible first half of the season, Daniels faces an uphill battle toward joining Brown atop that mountain.
Daniels [+1,000] currently has the fifth-best odds to win the MVP, per BetMGM. Josh Allen [+300], Lamar Jackson [+350], Patrick Mahomes [+500], and Jared Goff [+700] occupy the top four spots, respectively.
Current NFL MVP odds 🏆⤵️
🦬 Josh Allen +325
🐦⬛ Lamar Jackson +360
🏆 Patrick Mahomes +500
🦁 Jared Goff +600
🫡 Jayden Daniels +1100pic.twitter.com/2KGLkWDKpF— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) October 30, 2024
However, odds don’t always reflect reality. And you could argue that Daniels is having a better season than anyone in the top five other than Jackson.
Daniels currently ranks second in EPA per dropback and QB explosive plays [Jackson is first in both categories], per TruMedia. The rookie also has the fourth-best passer rating against pressure [Jackson is first] and owns the third-best completion percentage.
In terms of Pro Football Network’s QB+ metric, Daniels ranks second behind Jackson for this season’s top grade. Jackson owns three of this season’s top single-game grades, whereas Daniels’ top single-game mark [Week 3] ranks 15th.
So, Jackson, who won the MVP last season, should be considered the leader in the clubhouse despite the odds. Allen also could make a push if he continues excelling with a limited supporting cast.
But Daniels is lurking. And if he eventually leads the Commanders to the playoffs, he’ll earn extra points for revitalizing a rebuilding franchise.