Jayden Daniels Shut Down for Season as Commanders Turn to Mariota Down the Stretch
The Washington Commanders are officially closing the book on Jayden Daniels’ 2025 campaign. The rookie quarterback has been ruled out for Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and with Washington out of playoff contention, the team has decided to shut him down for the remainder of the season.
Daniels has been battling an elbow injury that he re-aggravated in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings. He was held out last week after not being cleared for contact, and with the Commanders now focused on the long-term, they’ve opted to prioritize his recovery rather than risk further damage in a lost season.
It’s a tough end to what’s been a turbulent yet promising rookie year for the No. 2 overall pick. Daniels appeared in seven games, posting a 2-5 record as a starter.
He completed 60.6% of his passes for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions, while also showing off his dual-threat ability with 278 rushing yards and two scores on 58 carries. The flashes were there - the arm talent, the mobility, the poise - but injuries and inconsistency around him made it hard to sustain momentum.
Now, veteran Marcus Mariota will take the reins for the final stretch of the season. The former Heisman winner has had a mixed run in his own seven starts for Washington, also going 2-5 while completing 62.0% of his passes for 1,600 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven picks. While the numbers are comparable to Daniels’, the upside clearly lies with the rookie - which is why the Commanders are being cautious with his health.
From a betting perspective, Daniels’ absence has had a modest impact on the Week 16 line. Washington opened as a six-point underdog at home against the Eagles, but that number has since moved to Eagles -7.
Oddsmakers clearly anticipated that Daniels wouldn’t suit up, so the shift wasn’t drastic. Had there been real hope he’d play, we likely would’ve seen a more significant adjustment.
Washington faces Philadelphia twice in the final three weeks, and while the Commanders won’t be playing for a postseason berth, they can still play spoiler. A win this weekend would delay the Eagles’ push to clinch the NFC East - and that’s no small motivation, especially for a team looking to finish on a high note.
As for Daniels, the hope now is that a full offseason of rest and recovery will have him back to 100% for 2026. Let’s not forget: just a year ago, he was one of the breakout stars of the league, leading Washington all the way to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie. That kind of talent doesn’t just disappear - and if he returns healthy, the Commanders may have their franchise quarterback ready to take the next step.