When Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to an upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16 of the 2024 season, a rivalry was reborn. Washington's struggles over the years, combined with Philadelphia's success in the 2000s, have made this once-great rivalry one-sided.
However, when Daniels passed for five touchdowns and passed for the game-winning touchdown with only seconds remaining against Vic Fangio's No. 1 defense, the Eagles were put on notice. The old rivalry added even more juice when the teams played for a third time in the NFC Championship Game.
Unfortunately, Washington struggled in 2025, with Daniels missing 10 games due to various injuries. While Philadelphia won the NFC East again, the Eagles didn't resemble the 2024 squad that won the Super Bowl.
But Philadelphia and its fans knew immediately that the Commanders finally had a quarterback. Washington was no longer going to be a pushover. That immediately led Eagles' fans to obsess over Daniels, dismissing him and constantly saying nasty and untrue things.
As for Daniels, he doesn't care. He appreciates it.
"I love Eagles fans," Daniels told Sports Illustrated. "They just embody what Philly brings. To be able to go out there and play against them, it's kind of just that thing. Their environment is kind of like the closest thing you can get to a college environment."
Jayden Daniels says he loves Eagles fans 🦅 pic.twitter.com/SZVFsAZoF6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 18, 2026
It's not a surprise to hear this from Daniels. He's ultra competitive. He's often seen on the field getting into some good-natured back-and-forth with the opposition.
For those worried about Daniels praising Eagles fans, relax. He understands that Philadelphia is the team Washington is chasing, and winning in Philly, in front of its fans, means just a little bit more.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels praises Eagles' fans