Former two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion Kurt Warner has already analyzed Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels a couple of times this season. When Daniels dislocated his left (non-throwing) elbow in Week 2, Warner said Daniels could play with a brace.
Warner was speaking from experience. He suffered the same injury in 2007 and played the next week. A lot has changed since then, and their playing styles are different, but Warner said it to give Washington fans hope after they were devastated.
Believe it or not, Warner drew heat for the statement, with some believing he questioned Daniels’ toughness. He came out again and explained furtherwhat he meant.
Daniels missed two weeks and returned to the lineup last week against the New
York Giants. He was spectacular, passing for 199 yards and rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns. But Daniels’ performance was overshadowed by what happened in the final minute of overtime. With the ball in field-goal range, the Commanders ran another play instead of sending kicker Drew Stevens onto the field to attempt the 42-yard game-winning field goal. The only problem was Washington had no timeouts. After the snap, Daniels saw no one open and was tackled. The clock was still running. No one on offense, except right tackle Josh Conerly, showed any sense of urgency, including Daniels. The one thing Daniels couldn’t do, he did.
All week long, fans and the media have taken turns blaming head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator David Blough and Daniels.
Warner defended Daniels on Wednesday night.
Warner makes a great point. Tom Brady is the greatest of all time. He was also known as one of the most cerebral players in NFL history. Brady had his own embarrassing momenton the field.
“Happens to the best of us... if we are honest.”
Warner is correct. In every walk of life, we all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are visible to everyone. They aren’t an indictment of that player or person.
Amid all the loud, goofy talk about Quinn's future and concerns about Daniels’ awareness, Warner brings much-needed common sense. No one will forget Washington’s egregious mistake, but Daniels can quickly put it past him. And that’s what Warner was trying to relay.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Pro Football Hall of Fame QB defends Jayden Daniels, uses Tom Brady comparison
