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Ja'Marr Chase, Jayden Daniels share touching moment ahead of NFL preseason game

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels08/18/25ChandlerVessels
jayden daniels ja'marr chase
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Two LSU legends met up on the field in the pros as Jayden Daniels and Ja’Marr Chase shared a pregame moment Monday. Prior to a game between the Washington Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals, cameras captured Daniels and Chase shaking hands and exchanging a few words.

Of course, both players are coming off of impressive years. Daniels won Offensive Rookie of the Year while leading the Commanders to an NFC Championship appearance. Meanwhile, Chase won the triple crown as the NFL’s leader in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17).

Chase and Daniels never played with each other at LSU, but each have a special place in the program’s history. Chase was a member of the 2019 national championship team, while Daniels won the Heisman Trophy in 2023.

Now both are on to successful career with their respective pro squads and looking to continue their success into this season. Kickoff for the game between the Commanders is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Jayden Daniels talks about adding muscle as he prepares for Year 2 in the NFL

Now, as Daniels prepares for his sophomore campaign in Washington, he’s focused on one thing: durability.The 24-year-old quarterback spoke recently about adding weight and muscle to his 6-foot-4 frame this offseason, hoping to better withstand the punishment that comes with life as a dual-threat QB in the NFL.

“They’re on my team, but you’ve got Von Miller, Daron Payne, guys like Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner running after you,” Daniels said during an appearance on SportsCenter. “So I got to be able to withstand some of those blows when it comes to taking a hit.”

While some fans took notice of his visibly bulked-up frame, Daniels downplayed the transformation as simply the result of natural growth and maturity.

“I just know I got stronger naturally over time,” he said. “That’s what everybody’s telling me, you can see the pictures, kind of crazy. That just comes with natural maturity. I’m just a tall, lanky kid. I put on a couple of pounds, put on some muscle and now everyone’s trying to blow it up like I went from 185 to 250.”

Now entering Year 2 as a pro, he’s once again drawing attention for his progress—but this time, it’s his physical development that’s turning heads as he aims to be even more dangerous in 2025.