Entering 2026, the Washington Commanders are hoping for a reset from Jayden Daniels after a rough sophomore season in 2025. If he gets back to the level he showed as a rookie, Daniels would be in the mix as a legitimate MVP candidate.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano isn’t betting on that kind of rebound, though. He’s forecasting another difficult year for Daniels in 2026 - and, in his view, the quarterback would not be the reason.
“Don't be surprised if ... quarterback Jayden Daniels struggles to regain his brilliant rookie-year form,” Graziano writes. “This isn't about Daniels himself.
He's an absolutely awesome player, and assuming he can get through the season healthy, I expect him to perform at a high level. It's what's around him that has me concerned.”
That’s the key point in Graziano’s outlook. Daniels dealt with injuries in 2025, but the expectation is that health would give him a chance to bounce back. The problem is the rest of the offense, and Graziano points to four major concerns.
The first is a wide receiver group he describes as “thin and aging.” Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs sit at the top of the depth chart, but the options behind them include rookie Antonio Williams, Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, Jaylin Lane, and Jacoby Jones. McLaurin and Diggs should be productive, and Williams has some breakout appeal as a rookie, but the overall room still looks shaky.
Running back is another question mark. Graziano called out the “question marks” at the position, with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, and Kaytron Allen making up a group that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
The offensive line only adds to the concern. Laremy Tunsil is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season, and there are major worries about the unit as a whole heading into 2026. For a quarterback like Daniels, that’s a serious issue.
Then there’s the coaching change. Washington is turning the offense over to new coordinator David Blough, and while there may be some optimism there, there’s also uncertainty about how effective he’ll be as a play-caller.
Stack it all together, and the warning signs are obvious. Graziano sees too many holes around Daniels for the Commanders’ offense to avoid trouble, even if the quarterback himself plays well.
That makes the prediction a frustrating one for Washington. It may not be Daniels’ fault, but if it comes true, it would still leave the Commanders facing a disappointing third season from their young quarterback.
In Other News...
Commanders Just Got A Brutal Reminder Of How Far They've Fallen
The NFLs latest Top 100 list delivered an uncomfortable snapshot of where Washington stands heading into the 2026 season. After placing five players on the list a year ago, the Commanders were shut out entirely this time, a stark reminder of how quickly the teams standing has shifted in the leagues eyes.
Bobby Wagner is now a free agent, while Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin and Laremy Tunsil also came up empty after being recognized previously. For a team trying to climb back into the conversation, the omission adds another layer of frustration, but it also gives Washington a clear source of motivation as camp approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face One Big Week 1 Problem Before Brutal Start
The early part of Washingtons 2026 schedule already looks unforgiving, and the first week is only adding to the challenge. The Commanders open on the road against Philadelphia and then head to Dallas, a stretch that would test any roster even before accounting for the injuries that have already thinned key spots up front and along the defensive line.
Laremy Tunsil and Johnny Newton are both set to miss the opener, which makes the recent return of several other familiar names to practice that much more important. Daron Payne, Marcus Mariota, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and KLavon Chaisson are back on the field, while Odafe Oweh is working back from a calf issue and should be moving toward full participation soon, leaving Washington hopeful it can get healthier before the season starts to really lean on its depth. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Rookies Are Forcing A Bigger Week 1 Debate Than Expected
The Commanders 2023 draft class has spent training camp and team activities trying to turn promise into something more concrete, and the early returns have given the coaching staff plenty to think about. Linebacker Sonny Styles, wide receiver Antonio Williams, edge rusher Joshua Josephs and running back Kaytron Allen have each flashed in different ways, with their progress showing up in preseason work and daily evaluations as the team sorts out how each rookie fits into the bigger picture.
What makes this group especially interesting is that it has pushed the Week 1 conversation beyond simple roster-filling. Washington is still weighing how these young players might contribute once the games count, and the answers may not look the same from one rookie to the next. The development arc is still in motion, and as camp gives way to the season, the Commanders will have to decide how much trust to place in first-year players who have already made the picture more complicated than expected. [Read more 🡒]