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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 26: Jordan Davis #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles sacks Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders during the third quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

You would not expect a young NFC East quarterback to heap praise on Eagles fans. But that is exactly what Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels did this week.

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Daniels did not hold back when discussing the atmosphere in Philadelphia:

“I love Eagles fans. I love Eagles fans,” Daniels said. “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.”

Daniels was also asked whether playing at Lincoln Financial Field gives him extra motivation.

“For sure,” he said. “If you go out there and you can beat Philly in Philly, that’s a different type. But their fans bring it. Especially as we’re rivals with them in the NFC East. I love playing against them.”

That is not something Eagles fans hear often from a rival quarterback.

Daniels Has Struggled in the Eagles’ House

Daniels knows what he is talking about because he has experienced it firsthand.

The former No. 2 overall pick has played twice at Lincoln Financial Field in his NFL career and has lost both games.

The first came in Week 11 of his rookie season, a 26 to 18 Eagles win. The second was far more decisive, a 55 to 23 Eagles blowout in the NFC Championship Game.

Even during his standout rookie year, Daniels could not solve the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Across three career games against the Eagles, Daniels has completed 63 percent of his passes for 705 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

His best performance came in a Week 16 win in Washington, but the road environment in Philly clearly left a major impression.

For an opposing quarterback to call the Linc the closest thing to a college atmosphere speaks volumes about the intensity Eagles fans bring.

The Eagles Still Set the Standard in the NFC East

Daniels’ comments also highlight something Eagles fans already know. If you want to win the NFC East, you have to go through Philadelphia.

The Eagles repeated as division champions in 2025 and have firmly reestablished themselves as the standard in the NFC East.

They have won the division in three of the last four years and are the only NFC East team to win a Super Bowl since 2012.

Daniels and the Commanders may believe they are building something sustainable, but they have not proven they can win consistently at Lincoln Financial Field.

Daniels said winning in Philly is “a different type.” He is right. The environment is loud, relentless and personal. For now, it remains a hurdle he has not cleared.

Commanders fans were quick to push back on Daniels’ comments, with many on social media questioning why their franchise quarterback would openly praise a division rival’s crowd.

His comments only add more intrigue to the next Eagles-Commanders matchup.

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