Jayden Daniels hasn’t thrown an interception this season, but that spotless stat line hasn’t spared him from criticism. Instead of getting universal credit for protecting the football, the Washington Commanders quarterback has been told by some voices in the media to open things up and take more chances.
Kurt Warner was first to make that case, and Dan Orlovsky followed with the same basic message: Daniels may be playing too safely through Washington’s first seven games. Orlovsky’s point is simple enough on paper - the great quarterbacks have to be willing to live a little dangerously. In practice, though, that advice runs straight into the reality of what Daniels has around him.
The Commanders’ passing game is short on downfield firepower. Terry McLaurin is out for the year with a torn patellar tendon, and aside from Treylon Burks, there isn’t much in the way of a true field-stretcher. That makes Daniels’ preference for short-to-intermediate throws less like timidity and more like a smart fit for the roster he’s working with.
He’s not forcing shots just to look aggressive, and he’s not doing it without McLaurin as a reliable outside presence. Instead, Daniels has leaned into what Washington can actually do well. Four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs, third-round rookie Antonio Williams, and tight end Chig Okonkwo have all been productive in that part of the field, which gives the Commanders a clear lane to keep operating underneath unless they make a move before the deadline.
Daniels, in other words, isn’t playing scared. He’s playing the hand he’s been dealt.
Orlovsky still thinks there’s room for more risk. Speaking with Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan, he acknowledged the circumstances around Daniels but still argued that the quarterback needs to be more willing to test tight windows.
"You can’t be great at the quarterback position unless you are willing to put the ball in harm’s way. I do think that’s a thing for Jayden.
There’s a difference between putting it in harm’s way and being reckless, obviously. But I’d much rather have a quarterback that is so egotistical that they will put the ball in harm’s way rather than have a quarterback that is so cautious that we’re the cleanest offense in the NFL."
It’s a nice theory. It’s also easier to say when the receiver room looks different. If Daniels had Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase on the outside, the conversation would probably sound a lot different.
That’s not Washington’s reality, and with Burks also dealing with a foot injury, Daniels may be stuck moving the chains the hard way for now. He has the mobility, the accuracy, and the ability to work both in and out of structure, which matters a lot when the passing game is thin and the offensive line is not helping much.
If the Commanders can beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9, it could even change the calculus for general manager Adam Peters and open the door to a possible trade for someone like Brian Thomas Jr. or Josh Downs. Until then, Daniels will likely keep doing what he’s been doing: taking what’s there, picking his spots, and avoiding the kind of reckless throws that would look bold only in hindsight.
In Other News...
Commanders Get A Big Chance To Prove Last Week Was Real
The Commanders get a quick chance to show whether last week was a true turning point when they return home to face the Rams at Northwest Stadium in Landover. Washingtons win over the Eagles gave the team a jolt of momentum, and now the challenge is backing it up against another opponent coming in with confidence after the Rams handled the Chargers.
It is the kind of matchup that can tell you a lot about where a team really stands this time of year, especially when the calendar turns and every result starts carrying a little more weight. Fans who cant make it to the stadium will be able to catch it on local FOX stations, with Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth and Jen Hale on the call. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Defense Just Set A New Standard Fans Will Demand
The Commanders defense delivered one of its sharpest outings of the season against Philadelphia, setting the tone early and never letting the Eagles find much rhythm after the opening quarter. Washington piled up a season-high in pressures and finished with five sacks, a disruptive night that helped keep the Eagles to 10 points and gave the offense plenty of breathing room.
Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee was held to 212 passing yards, and Saquon Barkley was bottled up for just 30 rushing yards as the Eagles struggled to sustain drives. For a Washington defense that has been searching for a standard to build on, this was the kind of complete performance that can change expectations, especially with the way it shut the door after the first quarter. [Read more 🡒]
Shy Tuttle Suddenly Carries A Huge Role In Washingtons Final Stretch
With the Commanders trying to steady their defense in the final stretch, Shy Tuttle has suddenly become a much bigger part of the rotation. Season-ending injuries have thinned Washingtons interior line, and Tuttle has responded with more snaps and a noticeable uptick in production, showing up around the ball with tackles and even getting home for a sack.
For a team still trying to hold things together on defense, that matters. Washington does not have much margin for error up front, so Tuttles recent play has given the staff a useful answer while the rest of the depth chart gets stretched thinner. The question now is how much more the Commanders can ask of him as the season winds down. [Read more 🡒]