Jayden Daniels needed just four plays to make his mark in the Washington Commanders Bengals preseason matchup, scrambling for a 14-yard touchdown run that tied the game early before the Commanders fell 31-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals on August 18, 2025, at Northwest Stadium. The second-year quarterback, who saw limited action in the Commanders Bengals preseason contest, bounced off defenders into the end zone, drawing cheers from the crowd and reminding fans of his dual-threat ability.
With the ball at the Bengals’ 14-yard line, Daniels dropped back for what was intended as his first pass attempt of the preseason but spotted an opening in the rush. He took off, evading tackles to score. When asked by a sideline reporter why he didn’t slide, Daniels replied, “I wanted to score.”
“That is part of his game, and that is part of what makes him a special player,” head coach Dan Quinn said.
Daniels exited with the score tied 7-7, heading to the locker room to change and watch the rest of the game. The Commanders Bengals preseason outing marked the first time most starters played, showing improved execution over their 48-18 loss to the New England Patriots the previous week. The offense opened with a 19-yard jet sweep gain by Deebo Samuel, setting up a strong ground game that totaled 185 rushing yards.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., named starter before kickoff, led with 62 yards on six carries, averaging 10.3 yards per attempt in the Commanders Bengals preseason game. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, praised by coaches beforehand, added 46 yards on 11 carries, including a 27-yard touchdown run down the right sideline for his first career score. Croskey-Merritt’s vision and speed stood out, contributing to the early momentum.
“I thought early what I liked was decisiveness,” Quinn said. “You certainly saw some of the big plays. We’re still learning [about] Bill in some ways. Not every run for every back is quite the same.”
The defense, which allowed 41 points against the Patriots, tightened up with starters in, holding Bengals rushers to 89 yards on 27 carries and sacking Joe Burrow for a 17-yard loss. However, penalties hindered progress, including a neutral zone infraction and pass interference that aided Cincinnati’s opening one-yard touchdown by Chase Brown.
Washington responded quickly in the Commanders Bengals preseason tilt, tying on Daniels’ run and taking a 14-7 lead after rookie Jaylin Lane’s 12-yard catch set up Croskey-Merritt’s score. Starters were pulled after that, but the Bengals kept Burrow in, who led a 12-play drive ending in a four-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Jones, tying it at 14-14.
With backups in, Cincinnati pulled ahead on a 13-yard acrobatic catch by Mitchell Tinsley. The Commanders switched to Sam Hartman at quarterback, but his pass to KJ Osborn was intercepted and returned to the 21-yard line, leading to Tinsley’s 21-yard touchdown catch for a 28-14 halftime lead.
The second half slowed, with five combined punts and just six points scored. Quinn noted better energy early but acknowledged room for growth. “We have much to clean up to get to the standard we want to play at,” he said.
The loss dropped the Commanders to 0-2 in preseason, following their defeat to the Patriots. Daniels, the 2024 No. 2 overall pick from LSU, has shown promise in limited action, building on his rookie season where he threw for 3,404 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 815 yards and six scores. His scrambling ability, honed in college with 3,812 passing yards and 34 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning 2023 season, adds a dynamic element to Washington’s offense under Quinn, who took over in 2024 after stints with Dallas and Atlanta.
Rodriguez, a 2023 sixth-round pick from Kentucky, has emerged as a reliable back, rushing for 247 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games last season. Croskey-Merritt, an undrafted free agent from New Mexico where he rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023, prefers the nickname “Bill” and has impressed in camp, potentially securing a roster spot.
The Bengals improved to 1-1 in preseason, with Burrow directing two touchdown drives in his return from a 2024 wrist injury that limited him to 10 games. Cincinnati’s defense, which struggled early, held firm against backups, showcasing depth.
Quinn’s emphasis on cleaning up mistakes echoes broader team goals after a 4-13 record in 2024. The Commanders Bengals preseason loss highlighted positives like the run game but exposed penalties and turnovers, issues Quinn addressed post-Patriots game. With Daniels at the helm, the offense shows potential, but consistency remains key.
As the preseason winds down, Daniels’ brief but electric performance in the Commanders Bengals preseason game offers hope for a turnaround, blending veteran execution with rookie flashes.
