Jayden Daniels’ sophomore NFL season has been anything but smooth sailing. The Commanders quarterback has battled through a gauntlet of injuries - a knee sprain, a hamstring strain, and most recently, a dislocated elbow that ultimately brought his 2025 campaign to an early close.
With Washington already out of the playoff picture and Daniels not medically cleared, the team made the call to shut him down and prioritize his long-term health. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a young player trying to establish himself, but it’s the right move for both Daniels and the franchise.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Daniels didn’t hide his emotions. “It’s obviously disappointing.
Jayden Daniels - frustrated but understands the decision. Just wants to get healthy pic.twitter.com/2m0l1taJHF
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 16, 2025
I’m a competitor, I want to play,” he said. That fire is exactly what you want in your starting quarterback.
But Daniels also showed maturity beyond his years, recognizing the bigger picture. “I wasn’t medically cleared to go...
Now it’s just focusing on getting healthy and prepare for next year.”
And that next year - that’s where the focus shifts now. Because while this season didn’t go the way Daniels or the Commanders envisioned, it wasn’t without value.
Daniels called this year more “frustrating” and “disappointing” than his rookie campaign, and it’s not hard to see why. Injuries disrupted his rhythm, and the team’s struggles didn’t help.
But through it all, he’s staying grounded. “A lot of adversity I’ve dealt with on the field, just trying to learn and move forward,” he said.
That’s the kind of mindset that can turn setbacks into stepping stones. Daniels has shown flashes of real potential when healthy - poise in the pocket, mobility, and leadership. Now, it’s about using this downtime to reset, regroup, and come back stronger.
In the meantime, Marcus Mariota will take over under center for Washington’s final three games. And let’s be honest - that’s no cupcake stretch.
The Commanders will close out the season with a brutal trio: Eagles, Cowboys, and then the Eagles again. That’s a gauntlet of playoff-caliber defenses, and it’ll be a tall task for Mariota and the rest of the offense.
But for now, all eyes are on the future of Jayden Daniels. The Commanders believe in his upside, and Daniels clearly believes in himself. If he can stay healthy and continue to grow through the adversity, there’s still plenty of reason for optimism in Washington.