Jake Moody became the hero as the Chicago Bears beat the Washington Commanders 25-24, but quarterback Jayden Daniels pinned the blame on himself after an avoidable fumble
12:25 ET, 14 Oct 2025
Jayden Daniels admitted that he cost the Washington Commanders victory over the Chicago Bears
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Jayden Daniels admitted that he cost the Washington Commanders victory over the Chicago Bears(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels claimed total responsibility for Monday's defeat to the Chicago Bears after a costly fumble in the fourth quarter.
The Monday Night Football doubleheader saw the Atlanta Falcons hand the Buffalo Bills their second straight loss, and the Bears leave it late to kick a game-winning field goal against the Commanders. It was a massive opportunity for Washington, but the Commanders failed to move to the top of the NFC East.
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Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was called out several times on the broadcast by NFL legend Troy Aikman, but the former No. 1 pick silenced the former Dallas Cowboys signal caller. Daniels had a solid game but was made to pay for a late error, and vowed to lean moving forward.
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Daniels threw an interception in the first quarter, costing Washington an early scoring opportunity. The Commanders were lined up deep in Bears territory, but Jaquan Brisker picked off Daniels' pass at the three-yard line.
The next glaring error from Daniels occurred with 3:07 remaining, as the Commanders attempted to maintain a two-point lead and run down the clock. Daniels fumbled the ball when trying to hand it to rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
The ball bounced off Croskey-Merritt's chest and was recovered by Chicago's Nahshon Wright. The Bears then set up a walk-off field goal with three seconds remaining, and newly-signed kicker Jake Moody became the hero.
Chicago Bears kicker Jake Moody became the hero with a walk-off field goal
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Chicago Bears kicker Jake Moody became the hero with a walk-off field goal(Image: Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
"I just lost the ball," Daniels said after the game, "Completely my fault. I didn’t give Bill (Croskey-Merritt’s nickname) a chance. So, it was my fault. … I’m not going to sit up here and blame it on the elements.
"I mean, at the end of the day, I’ve got to focus. I get paid to go out there and focus, play in, and play out. And I had a lack of focus right there (on the fumble), and it cost us the game."
Washington could have improved to 4-2, matching Philadelphia's six-week record. Now, the Commanders face the 2-3 Cowboys in Week 7, a key game for both organizations.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt fumbled the ball twice against the Chicago Bears
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt fumbled the ball twice against the Chicago Bears(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Though Daniels made two major errors, he still played a strong game. He was 19-for-26 passing for 211 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
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The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year has made a stunning start to his NFL career, and Commanders tight end Zach Ertz supported the quarterback in the wake of defeat. "I mean, we have no chance of being in the football game without Jayden," Ertz said.
"The plays he made with his legs, the plays he made with his arm. The only reason we were in the game and in a position to win was because of Jayden Daniels.
"I know he’s the leader of this team. Ultimately, he’s going to determine, put a lot on himself in the wins and losses. But as a teammate, as a competitor, we have no chance in being in that game without him."