Published October 15, 2026 04:30 PM
When it comes to the Week 5 overtime clock debacle for the Commanders, both coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels continue to take the blame for the failure to stop the clock before a potential game-winning field.
In his midweek press conference, Daniels again accepted responsibility for the outcome.
“Ultimately, like, it’s on me,” Daniels told reporters. “At the end of the day, I know [coach Dan Quinn] is getting a lot of slack for it, whatever, you know, but regardless of what happens, I’m the person on the field that’s supposed to calm everything, control everything, and I failed to the standard I hold myself to and the standard in this organization. So it’s just something for me to move on. I’m not saying I’m proud of it or anything. Obviously, looking back, like, it could have resulted in a loss, we tied, but it was a fail in my in my eyes and, you know, I know I’m better in that. I hold myself to a higher standard than that. So, moving forward, I’ll grow from and learn from it. And it’ll never happen again.”
He also was asked for his reaction to the external criticism.
“I’m moving on to San Francisco,” Daniels said. “I can’t say it’s not warranted because of what happened. You know, everybody has opinions to say, opinions to speak, and rightfully so, so I can’t stop nobody for saying their opinion or anything like that. It’s just about my process and moving forward and learning from it, moving on.”
It’s still unclear how it happened, and Daniels has not been asked whether he thought that overtime would continue for a second period. While that would be a very plausible explanation for the failure to get the clock stopped before time ran out, it would open another can of worms.
Regardless, it all goes back to the coaching staff — to offensive coordinator David Blough and to head coach Dan Quinn. Blough has yet to face reporters regarding his role in the situation. Regardless, Quinn hired Blough (after firing Kliff Kingsbury), and Quinn entrusted Blough with the offense.
Beyond that, it’s Quinn’s third year with Daniels. Sunday’s glitch was a symptom of a potentially deeper issue, when it comes to attention to detail and/or willingness and ability to take charge in a moment of chaos. Quinn either failed to spot it, or he failed to fix it.