Jayden Daniels is headed into 2026 with a real path to a number that has stood untouched for years: Lamar Jackson’s single-season quarterback rushing record of 1,206 yards.
The Washington Commanders have reasons to feel better about the offense around him. Daniels should be back to full health, Stefon Diggs is now in the mix, and the unit looks stronger than it did in 2024. Even with the Laremy Tunsill injury hanging over the team, there’s plenty of optimism about what this group can become.
Still, the biggest question may be how much Daniels runs.
That was a defining part of his rookie season, when he piled up 891 yards on 148 carries in 17 games. In 2025, injuries played a role, but his rushing output also dropped sharply overall. He finished with 278 yards on 58 attempts in seven games.
Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report pointed to Daniels as a legitimate candidate to challenge Jackson’s mark. As Gagnon wrote: "Jayden Daniels: Single-season rushing yards by a quarterback.
Current record: Lamar Jackson (1,206 in 2019)," Gagnon writes. "Daniels, who rushed for 891 yards in his first and only healthy season, would have to increase his per-game average from 52.4 in 2024 to 71.0 in 2026."
That’s the hurdle in plain sight. Daniels would need a major jump in rushing volume and production, and that kind of workload is not easy to sustain.
But the setup in Washington gives him a shot. Davis Webb is now calling plays, and the receiving group includes Terry McLaurin, Diggs, Antonio Williams, and Chig Okonkwo. That should help keep the offense moving, but it also leaves open the possibility that Daniels remains the engine when the Commanders need yards on the ground.
The running back situation adds another layer. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is not locked in as the starter, and Rachaad White isn’t either. If the Commanders want the run game to function at a high level, Daniels may have to carry more of that load himself.
That comes with obvious risk. Washington will be wary of exposing him, especially after the injury issues in 2025. But taking away the rushing threat that made him so dangerous as a rookie would also strip away one of the offense’s most important weapons.
There’s at least one stretch that shows why this isn’t a fantasy. From Weeks 12 through 17 in 2024, Daniels ran for 382 yards on 52 attempts, which works out to 76.4 yards per game. Keep that pace for a full season, and Jackson’s record is in play.
Of course, holding that level all year is another matter entirely. The record is a long shot. But if there’s a quarterback outside of Jackson himself who can make a run at it, Daniels belongs near the top of the list.
In Other News...
Dolphins Graphic Just Sparked A Jayden Daniels Debate Before Kickoff
A preseason graphic is usually the sort of thing that disappears into the timeline, but the Miami Dolphins managed to stir up a little extra noise before kickoff by featuring rookie running back Jaylen Wright in No. 5. For Washington fans, that number immediately lands differently because it belongs to Jayden Daniels, and the image arrived just as his jersey situation has been under a microscope thanks to LSU reassigning No. 5 after his departure.
Miami has not said the graphic was aimed at Daniels, and there is no confirmation it was meant as anything more than a standard game-day post. Still, the timing was enough to get fans talking about whether it was a subtle jab or just an awkward coincidence, which is the kind of preseason subplot that can take on a life of its own when a star quarterback is already in the middle of a number-related controversy. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face An Early Defensive Problem With Dorance Armstrong Out
The NFL handed down four suspensions this week, and the one that matters most in Washington is Dorance Armstrongs. The Commanders defensive end, expected to be part of the edge-rushing mix, will be unavailable when the regular season opens after the league announced a one-game suspension tied to personal conduct violations.
For a team trying to settle its defensive rotation early, losing Armstrong even briefly creates another adjustment on the front line. The league did not publicly detail the underlying conduct, leaving Washington to manage the absence without much clarity beyond the ruling itself, and the timing only adds to the pressure of getting the defense organized before the first game counts. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Cornerback Question Now Centers On A Familiar Name
The Commanders spent the offseason adding Stefon Diggs, but the more immediate concern now sits on the other side of the ball, where cornerback depth remains a question heading into training camp. With Washington looking for veteran help in the secondary, a familiar name has surfaced in the conversation and gives the team a potential link to one of its biggest new arrivals.
Trevon Diggs is available as a free agent, and his track record makes him an obvious fit to at least consider if Washington wants to shore up the room before camp opens. The connection to Stefon would make the fit even more interesting, but for the Commanders the real appeal is simpler: a proven cornerback who could help stabilize a position group that still needs reinforcements. [Read more 🡒]