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Dan Quinn says he talked to Jayden Daniels about ill-advised fourth-down throwaway vs. 49ers, wants QB to take his 'shot'

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, once the darling of the 2024 draft class after leading the team to its first NFC Championship Game, has faced growing scrutiny in his third season. Following a costly sack and failed spike attempt in overtime against the New York Giants, Daniels drew further criticism for an ill-advised fourth-down throwaway in a 23-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on *Monday Night Football*.

With Washington trailing 13-3 early in the second quarter, Daniels rolled to his right and threw the ball away instead of handing it off, only for the penalty to be ruled an illegal shift rather than a throwaway. The Commanders took over on downs at their own 13-yard line, deepening their struggles under head coach Dan Quinn, who has now gone 3-14-1 in his last 18 games.

Quinn addressed the play with Daniels afterward, emphasizing the importance of taking a shot even when penalties are involved. 'You don’t know if it’s going to get picked up,' Quinn said, stressing the need for immediate accountability.

The coach also clarified postgame that he was aware it was fourth down, despite initial confusion from a viral clip suggesting otherwise. Washington’s 1-4-1 start has intensified pressure on Quinn, who defended the decision to go for it on fourth down, arguing the team needed to take bold risks against an undefeated 49ers squad.

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