Commanders Shut Down Jayden Daniels - and Now It's Time to Turn the Page on 2025
The Washington Commanders made the tough, but ultimately smart, call on their franchise quarterback. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Jayden Daniels will be shut down for the final three games of the season after reaggravating an elbow injury during his first game back. It’s the kind of decision that protects the long-term health of a player who’s shown he can be the face of the franchise - and signals a shift in focus for the rest of the year.
Daniels hasn’t been cleared for contact, and with a tight holiday schedule looming, Quinn wisely decided not to roll the dice. The Commanders may have picked up a win in Week 15 over the Giants, but let’s be honest - this season isn’t about chasing a playoff spot anymore.
It’s about building toward something bigger. And risking Daniels’ elbow in meaningless December games?
That’s not building - that’s gambling with your future.
Quinn admitted Daniels wasn’t thrilled with the decision, and that tracks. Daniels is a competitor.
But this is one of those moments where the coaching staff has to be the adult in the room. With the team out of contention, preserving the health of your most valuable asset is the only move that makes sense.
Now comes the real challenge: using these final three games wisely. With Daniels sidelined, Washington should be in full evaluation mode.
That means giving younger players a shot, even if it ruffles a few feathers in the locker room. Veterans may not love it, but this stretch run is about preparing for 2026 - not padding résumés or clinging to depth chart status.
With that in mind, here’s a closer look at one player who should also see his role reduced down the stretch:
Noah Brown - WR
Noah Brown’s return to the lineup in Week 14 against the Vikings was short-lived. After battling back from injury, the veteran wideout exited early in the following game against the Giants with a hip issue and didn’t return. It’s been a frustrating year for Brown, who just can’t seem to stay on the field.
At this point, availability has become the defining question - and unfortunately, the answer hasn’t been encouraging. Brown has flashed potential in the past, but the NFL doesn’t wait around for players to get healthy. Washington needs to start thinking about who can contribute consistently in the long term, and right now, Brown doesn’t check that box.
Even if he’s cleared to return before the end of the season, there’s little upside in giving him significant reps. The Commanders have younger receivers waiting in the wings - players like Treylon Burks and Jaylin Lane, who bring more upside and need real in-game reps to grow. These final three games are a perfect opportunity to see what they can do in expanded roles.
That’s not a knock on Brown as a player or a pro - it’s just the reality of where things stand. Injuries happen, and sometimes they derail a season. But Washington can’t afford to keep investing snaps in a player who may not even be on the roster next year.
With Daniels on the shelf, the Commanders are entering a different phase of the season - one where development, evaluation, and forward-thinking decisions take center stage. It’s not about mailing it in. It’s about making every snap count for something beyond the scoreboard.
The next few weeks may not carry playoff implications, but they matter - especially for a team trying to build a sustainable winner. And it starts by giving the future a chance to take the field.