Jayden Daniels enters 2026 with the spotlight burning hot.
After steering Washington to the NFC Championship in 2024 and taking home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Daniels hit a wall in 2025. Injuries wrecked both his season and the Commanders’ year, and now the conversation around Washington starts with one simple question: what does Daniels look like when the pressure is on again?
NFL.com’s Grant Gordon put it plainly as one of the team’s top storylines, and it’s easy to see why. Daniels missed 10 games last season after dealing with a sprained knee, strained hamstring and dislocated left elbow, and when he was on the field, Washington went just 2-5. That kind of falloff changes everything.
The Commanders are also handing Daniels a new offensive setup. David Blough is now the offensive coordinator after two seasons with Kliff Kingsbury in that role, and the shift should bring a different feel to the offense.
Daniels will be under center more often, and the plan is clearly built around keeping him healthier by leaning into the passing game and limiting how much he’s asked to run. There will still be scrambles and designed runs, but the goal is to keep him behind the line of scrimmage as much as possible.
That comes with its own set of questions, especially around Daniels’ ability to grow as a pocket passer. But the source material makes it clear that Blough’s approach is already showing progress in that area.
Daniels is also part of the latest season of Netflix’s Quarterback series, which only adds to the attention surrounding him. Between the new offense, the recovery from injuries and the expectations that come with his 2024 breakout, he has plenty on his plate this summer.
The bigger picture is straightforward: if Daniels bounces back and the key pieces around him stay healthy, Washington should look nothing like the team that sputtered through 2025.
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Commanders Rookie Joshua Josephs Is Building Buzz Fans Can't Ignore
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For a rookie trying to carve out a place in a crowded front, that kind of versatility matters. Josephs still has a long summer ahead before anyone can say how much hell play, but training camp, joint practices and the preseason will tell the real story about whether he can turn the buzz into a steady role in Washingtons edge rotation. [Read more 🡒]