Jayden Daniels sends Stefon Diggs a clear message after goalpost celebration costs Commanders crucial points against Eagles
Jayden Daniels had a clear message for Stefon Diggs after the Washington Commanders lost 24-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Diggs caught a fourth-quarter touchdown that brought Washington within two points, but his decision to hug the goalpost after scoring brought a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Commanders were finally finding some life late in the game when Daniels connected with Diggs for a 10-yard touchdown. The score cut Philadelphia’s lead to 17-15 with 9:59 left, putting Washington in position to go for two and tie the game. The celebration led to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, moving Washington back 15 yards. The Eagles still led 17-16, and Washington later missed a two-point attempt with 1:01 left before Philadelphia held on for the win. Philadelphia then recovered Washington’s onside kick attempt and finished the 24-22 win.
Because the Commanders had a chance to tie the game much earlier, that made Diggs’ celebration even more frustrating. The Philadelphia Eagles’ official game recap confirmed that the penalty forced Washington to settle for the extra point. Head coach Dan Quinn also confirmed that Washington planned to go for two before the penalty changed the situation. Still, the penalty was not the only reason Washington lost.
Daniels said the team needed to be smarter in that situation, while Diggs admitted he had made a costly mistake. The quarterback said he also should have reminded his teammates about the situation before the play. “We just have to be smart,” Daniels said. “As soon as I wrapped my arms around it, I was like, ‘Oh, I forgot,’” Diggs told reporters.
Then Diggs ran toward the goalpost and jumped up to hug it. Instead of trying a two-point conversion from its normal spot, the Commanders had to kick the extra point. Daniels did not put the blame only on Diggs. “There’s a time and place for everything and celebrations. I’m pretty sure at that point we would’ve gone for two, had to settle for the extra point. The Commanders eventually got another chance to tie the game, but their two-point attempt failed with just over a minute remaining. Diggs did not try to defend what happened. Instead, the veteran receiver accepted responsibility and explained that the celebration came from an old habit. “Back in the day, I’ve been playing for a long time, you used to could do that. I’ve got to be better. Diggs’ touchdown was his first for Washington after joining the Commanders, making the celebration understandable from an emotional point of view. But the NFL no longer allows players to use the goalpost as part of a celebration, and the officials immediately flagged him for it.
The Commanders now turn their attention to Week 2, when Daniels and Washington will face the Dallas Cowboys.
Diggs said he took “full accountability” for the mistake, according to NBC Sports. “We gotta know situations, situational football,” Daniels said. The report also noted that he knew almost immediately that the celebration would bring a penalty. For Daniels, the bigger lesson was about knowing the game situation. Washington was chasing a two-point deficit against the defending NFC champions, so every decision mattered. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Daniels also made it clear that he was willing to share responsibility rather than simply blame his new receiver. “That’s on me for not reiterating that in the huddle. After such a narrow opening-day loss, the Diggs penalty will be one of the moments the team will want to handle better next time. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.