Jayden Daniels says he had a broken rib during Hail Mary throw to beat Bears

Washington Commanders' fans held their collective breath when quarterback Jayden Daniels departed a Week 8 game against the Carolina Panthers last season. On Washington's first possession, Daniels departed and did not return. It didn't matter as Marcus Mariota relieved him and led the Commanders to a 40-7 win.

With a highly anticipated Week 9 home game with the Chicago Bears on the horizon, Daniels suffered a rib injury. He did not miss any time, returned to play the Bears, and led the Commanders to a shocking 18-15 win. The Bears, with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, were never the same again.

Daniels was clearly not himself in the game. He missed some throws he was making through the first eight weeks. However, he still passed for 326 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 52 yards. Washington controlled most of the game, but allowed the Bears to score a pair of touchdowns in the second half to take the lead. The Commanders looked finished.

Then, Daniels put his team on his back. With the ball at the Washington 48-yard line, Daniels took the final snap with two seconds remaining on the clock. He scrambled left, he scrambled right, never panicked, and unleashed a dime around 65 yards through the air into the waiting arms of wide receiver Noah Brown with no time on the clock and a walkoff Commanders' win.

It was the NFL's "Moment of the Year" and a magical time for Washington fans. And Daniels did it with a broken rib. While Daniels and the Commanders downplayed the injury last season, Daniels told fellow NFL stars Justin Jefferson and Saquon Barkley during a promotion for Madden 26 that he did make the throw with a broken rib.

If you've ever dealt with sore ribs, you'd understand that it's a painful injury. Forget sore ribs, Daniels had a broken rib and was able to throw the ball downfield accurately to win the game as time expired.

The legend of Jayden Daniels continues to grow.

Daniels and the Commanders open the preseason on Friday against the New England Patriots, but before then, they'll have a joint practice with the Pats.