This week, the Washington Commanders traveled to Arizona for their Week 5 game against the Cardinals, a game filled with a storyline that couldn't have been scripted better as quarterback Jayden Daniels returned to his old stomping grounds. The Commanders walked away with a win, defeating the Cardinals 42-14, but it wasn't just the final result that had people talking – it was also the way Daniels handled the pressure of returning to familiar territory.

After the game, Commander head coach Dan Quinn shared his thoughts on Daniels' performance. “Yes, I told him earlier that I was really proud of him. I knew there were some additional stories here at ASU. And much like Kliff (Kingsbury, the Commander's offensive coordinator), you would never have known that. There.” “He and I were in the bubble at ASU and talked about how during his time here I had coached on a team that had trained here for the Super Bowl,” Quinn said. “I stayed stable the whole time during preparation.”

Daniels, who played his first three college seasons at ASU before transferring to LSU, had more than just one regular season game to focus on. He returned to a place where he had made a name for himself. Instead of letting the added pressure, nostalgia and attention get to him, Daniels remained calm, cool and collected, displaying the poise and maturity that Quinn admired.

“Him, the quarterbacks and the guys, we sat in the room for a lot of nights and watched tape together,” the coach continued. “There was only one office further down the hotel and all week, including last night, I just put in the extra time I put into it. They just stayed there and talked everything through, I think. “That speaks to their preparation.”

That preparation showed on the field as Daniels made key plays in both the passing and running games, leading Washington down the field and keeping the offense composed in crucial moments. Given the Cardinals' aggressive defense, Daniels was able to maintain control and move the chains when it mattered most.

For the Commanders, this game was more than just another win. It showcased Daniels' growth and resilience and proved that he has developed into a leader who can lead this team to a serious run this season.

Back in Arizona, Daniels showed he was no longer just the player he was at ASU — he had become the composed, unflappable presence the Commanders could count on. And as Quinn put it best, “I just thought he handled it like a real G.”

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