Quinn Addresses Jayden Daniels Fourth-Down Throwaway in Commanders Loss

Coach Dan Quinn stated that Jayden Daniels should have taken a shot downfield rather than throwing the ball away on a second-quarter fourth down.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 29 of 40 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. Despite rallying from a 20-3 halftime deficit, the Commanders failed to convert a critical fourth-and-2 from the 49ers' 13-yard line during the second quarter. Under pressure from defenders including linebacker Fred Warner, Daniels scrambled to his right and threw the ball away after seeing a penalty flag on the field.

Coach Dan Quinn noted that Daniels should have attempted a pass regardless of the flag, as the penalty resulted in an illegal shift on Washington rather than a defensive offside call. San Francisco declined the penalty following the incompletion. The rookie quarterback, playing his second game with a brace on his dislocated left elbow, was limited to 10 rushing yards on four carries against the 49ers' zone coverage.

The decision to throw the ball away followed a Week 6 error where Daniels failed to stop the clock with eight seconds remaining in overtime. In that instance, he was tackled inbounds, preventing a 42-yard field goal attempt. Offensive coordinator David Blough and Quinn accepted responsibility for the overtime play call, while Quinn emphasized that he wants Daniels to remain through his reads and scramble to throw as he evolves in the offense.