Honestly, if you've spent more than five minutes on sports Twitter or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the clip. It’s Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels sitting courtside, looking like he’s having a perfectly normal conversation with USC basketball sensation JuJu Watkins. Then, in a move that launched a thousand memes, his mom, Regina Jackson, slides right into the middle of them. Literally. She sits between them.
It was the "block" heard 'round the world.
Naturally, the internet did what the internet does. Everyone immediately started asking the same question: Is she the Jayden Daniels girlfriend we’ve all been speculating about? Or is the "momager" just keeping the circle tight?
The truth is a little more complicated than a viral 10-second video.
The JuJu Watkins Connection: More Than Just a Handshake?
Speculation reached a fever pitch recently when Daniels was spotted at SoFi Stadium. After a big win against the Chargers, he didn’t just give a generic wave to the crowd. He and Watkins shared a very specific, very practiced personalized handshake.
People lost it.
You don't just have a "secret" handshake with a random acquaintance. Fans immediately started comparing them to other sports power couples like A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo. But here's the kicker—neither of them has said a word.
When TMZ caught up with Watkins at LAX back in July, she basically gave them a smile and a whole lot of silence. It wasn't a "no," but it definitely wasn't a "yes." She’s currently dealing with an ACL injury that’s sidelined her for the 2025-2026 season, and it seems her focus is strictly on recovery and her historic jersey retirement at Sierra Canyon—which, by the way, Daniels also attended just a few days ago in January 2026.
Why Everyone Thinks They're Cousins (And Why They're Wrong)
There is this weird rumor that refuses to die. For some reason, a huge chunk of the internet is convinced Jayden Daniels and JuJu Watkins are actually cousins.
"They’re not dating, they’re family!"
"His mom is her aunt!"
Except... they aren't.
Investigations into their family trees—yes, people actually did this—show no link. Watkins’ mother, Sari Watkins, discussed her four sisters in a 2024 docuseries called On The Ride, and Regina Jackson was never mentioned. Likewise, Jackson’s own social media posts about her sisters don’t include Sari. The "cousin" theory seems to be a shield fans (or maybe the families) use to deflect the dating rumors.
The Regina Jackson Factor
You can't talk about Jayden Daniels’ personal life without talking about his mom. She isn't just a "football mom." She’s a certified NFL agent with multiple master's degrees. She’s the architect of the brand.
In the Amazon docuseries The Money Game, she was pretty blunt about her fears. She talked about "girls" trying to "get their hooks" into Jayden now that he’s a superstar with a massive NIL and NFL valuation.
"And I know that sounds crazy, but I guarantee there is someone out there who is trying to get their hooks into Jayden Daniels. So, thank God he got a mama like me— because it ain't happening."
She’s since clarified on The Pivot Podcast that she isn't banning him from dating. She says he’s a grown man who makes his own decisions. But she also pointed out that her son values her opinion because she’s been in the trenches with him since day one.
Is He Actually Single?
If you look at his Instagram, it’s 100% business. Football, Nike deals, training. There are no "soft launches" of a relationship. No vacation photos with a mysterious companion.
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He’s 25 now, and he seems to be following the Jalen Hurts blueprint: keep the private life incredibly private until there’s a ring involved. Some Reddit sleuths claim his "real" cousins have commented on Instagram confirming JuJu is the girlfriend, but without a public statement from the man himself, it’s all just noise.
Basically, Jayden is "married to the game" for the cameras.
What This Means for the Fans
The obsession with who Jayden Daniels is dating says more about his rise to stardom than anything else. He’s the face of a franchise. He’s a Heisman winner. He’s a California kid playing in the nation’s capital.
If you’re looking for a definitive answer, you won't find one in a press release. But you can look at the actions:
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- He attends her biggest life milestones (jersey retirements).
- She attends his games despite her own injury.
- They have "the handshake."
Whether they are "just friends" who share the intense pressure of being elite athletes or a legitimate couple, they’ve clearly decided that the public doesn't get an invite to the relationship.
If you want to stay updated on Jayden’s off-field life, stop looking for "official" announcements. Instead, keep an eye on the sidelines and the courtside seats. The people who are there when the cameras aren't supposed to be looking are usually the ones who matter. For now, the smartest move is to focus on his recovery and the Commanders' trajectory, while letting the man have whatever privacy he can manage to keep.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor Injury Reports: Follow updates on JuJu Watkins' ACL recovery, as this often dictates her public appearance schedule.
- Watch Post-Game Clips: Look for sideline interactions after Commanders games, which is where the most authentic "unscripted" moments occur.
- Check Endorsement Crossovers: Both athletes are signed to Nike; keep an eye out for joint marketing campaigns that might signal a closer professional (or personal) partnership.