Jayden Daniels Shows Flashes, But Questions Mount About His Usage and Durability
The Commanders are putting in work against the Giants, heading into halftime with a 22-7 lead. But even as Washington dominates on the scoreboard, the spotlight remains squarely on Jayden Daniels - and not for the reasons fans were hoping. The rookie quarterback has shown plenty of promise this season, but with each electric play, the concern about his long-term durability grows louder.
Around the league, there’s a growing conversation about how much punishment Daniels is taking - and whether Washington is doing enough to protect their most valuable asset. According to reporting from ESPN, some NFL insiders are starting to question if the Commanders should consider shutting Daniels down for the rest of what's shaping up to be a lost season.
It’s not about his talent - that’s evident. It’s about how much more his body can take.
Let’s break it down: Daniels has already dealt with a re-aggravated elbow injury that cost him time earlier this year. That’s on top of a knee sprain and a hamstring issue, all of which have piled up as he continues to take hits - both in and out of the pocket.
The Commanders have tried to dial back their play count from last season, but the offense hasn’t exactly become more efficient. That means more snaps, more pressure, and more hits on a quarterback who’s still learning how to protect himself at the pro level.
And it’s not just about the number of plays - it’s the type of plays. Washington’s offense has leaned heavily into designed quarterback runs and early-down RPOs that put Daniels in harm’s way.
He’s a lean, mobile quarterback, and while his legs are a weapon, they also leave him exposed. When you combine that with a receiving corps that isn’t consistently creating separation and a backfield that’s struggled to find rhythm, Daniels is often left to make something out of nothing - and that usually ends with him taking contact.
Coaches have reportedly discussed mechanics like sliding and diving, trying to teach Daniels how to avoid unnecessary hits. But the bigger issue is structural.
Are they giving him enough support? Enough protection?
Enough playmakers to take the pressure off? Right now, it feels like Daniels is being asked to do too much, too often, with too little help.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, veteran edge rusher Von Miller quietly etched his name deeper into the NFL history books. With his seventh sack of the season, Miller moved to 136.5 career sacks - passing Jared Allen and climbing to 12th all-time since sacks became an official stat in 1982. It’s a huge milestone for one of the game’s most consistent pass rushers, and it came without much fanfare.
But as impressive as Miller’s moment was, the bigger story in Washington remains the same: How long can the Commanders keep playing this way with Daniels before something gives? The talent is there.
The flashes are undeniable. But if Washington wants Daniels to be their guy for the long haul, they’ll need to find a way to protect him - not just from defenders, but from the demands of an offense that’s asking too much, too soon.