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Jayden Daniels' Hail Mary for Commanders vs. Bears Wins NFL Play of the Year 2024-25

Zach BacharContributor IFebruary 7, 2025

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 27: Noah Brown #85 of the Washington Commanders catches a Hail Mary pass from Jayden Daniels #5 to win the game against the Chicago Bears during the second half of the game at Northwest Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Jayden Daniels' incredible Hail Mary to cap off the Washington Commanders' 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 8 was selected as the 2024-25 NFL Play of the Year on Thursday.

NFL @NFL

Jayden Daniels' Hail Mary is the <a href="https://twitter.com/NextGenStats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NextGenStats</a> Play of the Year! (powered by <a href="https://twitter.com/awscloud?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AWSCloud</a>)<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLHonors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLHonors</a> on FOX &amp; NFLN<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/X9R4qzaK4l">pic.twitter.com/X9R4qzaK4l</a>

On the final play of the contest, Daniels tossed the ball towards the end zone that was tipped up in the air and eventually caught by wide receiver Noah Brown.

NFL @NFL

A;FK;JD;KJF;LAKEJFLKJVAL;KEJL;JF;EFJ;LFAKJ<br><br>JAYDEN DANIELS HAIL MARY! <a href="https://twitter.com/Commanders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@COMMANDERS</a> WIN! <a href="https://t.co/BsQ0Z84Rko">pic.twitter.com/BsQ0Z84Rko</a>

The signal-caller received some additional hardware earlier in the night, as he previously earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

According to Next Gen Stats, Daniels covered just over 40 yards as he scrambled around in the backfield before launching the ball.

The Hail Mary against the Bears helped the Commanders improve to 6-2, becoming one of the key moments in a season that culminated in a surprising NFC Championship Game appearance.

For Chicago, the defeat kicked off a 10-game losing streak before the team ended the year with a 5-12 record.

"I was juiced up, for sure," Daniels said after the Hail Mary, via Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. "Excited because that's kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not too many people get to experience stuff like that. That was my first time."

It was an incredible play from the rookie signal-caller, especially since he was listed as questionable heading into the game due to a rib injury.

Daniels finished his inaugural season in the NFL by completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. He also set a new rookie rushing record among quarterbacks by picking up 891 yards on the ground.

NFL @NFL

Jayden Daniels picks up 30 yards on 4th and 11!<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PHIvsWAS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PHIvsWAS</a> on FOX<br>📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/rrPz31hpsy">pic.twitter.com/rrPz31hpsy</a>

Washington's 2024 campaign continued several memorable moments, including the 2024-25 Play of the Year.