Jayden Daniels may have spent much of the last year getting dragged by skeptics, but FanSided’s first quarterback rankings just gave the Washington Commanders star a much different kind of headline.
In the inaugural FanSided Quarterback Rankings, which used ratings from site editors across the NFL division on a 1-12 scale, Daniels landed at No. 12. That slot put him in the Strong QB1 tier, a notable vote of confidence for a quarterback who missed most of the 2025 campaign because of injury and has faced renewed chatter about whether his frame can withstand the NFL grind.
Daniels was ranked behind Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, which makes sense. But he also checked in ahead of Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Jalen Hurts, which is a strong sign that plenty of people still see a real rebound coming in Washington.
As part of the rankings, this was the assessment of Daniels:
"Jayden Daniels was out of sight, out of mind during the 2025 season. He started seven games and finished four after a frustrating run of injuries, but there is a renewed purpose around Washington's main man this offseason as he looks to remind the league who he truly is.
"This is the best supporting cast Daniels has had in his NFL career so far. He's working with a new scheme designed around his exceptional gifts. And not even the memes around his dispute with LSU will stop what comes next."
That lines up with the broader feeling around Daniels heading into Year 3. He was barely on the field last season, which is a long way from the momentum he built during his rookie year. Still, the idea of writing him off entirely doesn’t hold much water.
A big reason for optimism is the offense around him. David Blough was hired to replace Kliff Kingsbury, and although he has never called plays before, he built the system from the ground up with Daniels’ input. The scheme is described as more pro-style, and Daniels reportedly has complete command of it.
The Commanders also added Stefon Diggs, Chig Okonkwo, Rachaad White, and third-round rookie Antonio Williams, giving Daniels more help than he’s had before. Even with five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil unavailable because of a torn triceps, the setup gives Washington a real chance if Daniels stays healthy and the offensive line holds together.
That’s the nature of the NFL: fast, ruthless, and always moving on to the next thing. Daniels has been pushed into the background, but the door is wide open for him to step back into the spotlight and show why he turned heads in 2024.
In Other News...
Commanders Face A Brutal 2026 Doubt Fans Will Want Answered
A skeptical national read on the Commanders offseason has put a spotlight on just how thin the margin may be for 2026. NFL analyst Mike Tanier called the teams offseason miserable, taking aim at the way Washington has built out its roster depth and suggesting the club is leaning too heavily on older players while entering a stretch where younger, cheaper contributors usually matter most.
There is a counterpoint worth keeping in mind, though, because the Commanders did add younger players through signings and the draft, even if the overall picture still feels unsettled. The larger question is whether those moves can offset the concerns about depth and draft capital, or whether Taniers pessimism ends up looking prescient once the season turns and the roster is tested in earnest. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Offense Looks Stronger Than Fans Had Reason To Expect
Jayden Daniels is back to full health, and the early signs around Washingtons offense suggest a group that is in better shape than many expected heading into 2026. Daniels has settled into David Bloughs new system, the Commanders added Stefon Diggs on a one-year deal, and the supporting cast around the quarterback has been upgraded in a few important spots. Brandon Coleman gives the line more depth at left tackle, Sam Cosmis return helps stabilize the front, and the tight end room looks more functional with both returning and new faces in the mix.
There is also more continuity than there was a year ago, with Marcus Mariota back as the backup and Rachaad White added to a running back group that had to absorb Austin Ekelers injury loss. Taken together, it is a pretty encouraging picture for an offense that could have entered the season carrying more uncertainty. The bigger question now is how quickly all of those pieces come together once the games start, especially with a new coordinator trying to turn a healthier, deeper roster into something more than paper potential. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Fans May Not Like Where Zach Ertz Could End Up
Zach Ertz is back in the football mix after working his way through the recovery from the torn ACL he suffered during his time with the Commanders, and the veteran tight end has now been cleared to resume football activities. For Washington, the interest is more about what comes next than what once was, since the team has already moved on at the position and does not currently plan to keep him around.
The part that may sting for Commanders fans is where Ertz could land next. Reports have put a possible return to the Eagles on the table, the same team that drafted him and gave him the bulk of his prime, even if nothing is imminent yet. After his injury and Washington's decision to sign other tight ends, Ertz's next step looks increasingly likely to be about a reunion elsewhere rather than a comeback in burgundy and gold. [Read more 🡒]