Former Washington Commanders tight end Vernon Davis isn’t ready to read too much into one game, and he sees plenty to like about the team’s outlook for 2026.
After Washington’s first game, Davis pushed back on any panic that might have followed the performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. “It’s only been one game, and from playing this game, I learned that you can’t just judge the course of the season just by one game.”
That perspective left room for optimism, and Davis had plenty of it. He pointed to the Commanders’ resilience and the way the group carried itself as signs that the organization has built something solid.
“How resilient they are. How much camaraderie they have.
It says a lot. When they’re playing well, it says a lot about the organization, about the coaching, and what they’ve been able to create as far as the culture within the locker room,” Davis said.
He also came away encouraged by the names already making an impact. “I saw a lot of great things,” Davis continued.
“I saw the impact that Stefon (Diggs) will be able to make on this team throughout the course of the season, as well as Terry McLaurin and a lot of the young guys. Jayden Daniels looks to be very confident.
Healthy. And I feel like it’s going to be a really good season for this team.”
Daniels’ health remains a central focus for Washington, and the plan is for him to spend more time in the pocket. If the offensive line can do its part and keep him protected, the Commanders believe that will help him stay on the field and keep growing as a quarterback.
Davis sees real upside there, but he isn’t rushing to hand out any lofty labels just yet. "I’m not going to sit here and put the cart before the horse,” Davis said.
“I honestly feel like Jayden has the potential to be in that discussion with some of the greats if he’s able to be consistent with his gameplay ... I know he has it in him; he just has to find that same thing he found in his first year.”
He also likes the collection of weapons around Daniels, naming Diggs, McLaurin, Antonio Williams, and Chig Okonkwo. “He has some of the most potent weapons in the league, and as we continue to see the emergence of Antonio Williams and what he can add to the team, I think it’s gonna be a really good offense.”
Williams, in particular, drew a comparison from Davis to McLaurin. Daniels had said earlier this week that what the Commanders saw from Williams on Sunday was something they had already seen in training camp, and Davis said that reminded him of McLaurin’s early days.
“I feel like that’s the same thing we saw in Terry McLaurin. I played with Terry when he first got drafted, and I saw a lot of the things that we saw him do on the football field on Sundays is what we saw in training camp. So I feel like there’s some correlation in there, and I feel like we’re gonna see some great things as we continue to go.”
Davis closed with an upbeat read on where things stand. “The sky’s the limit with this team,” he said.
Washington gets its next test Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys in hostile territory. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. EDT at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In Other News...
Tom Brady Added To The Misery Of Washingtons Ugly Afternoon
An already rough afternoon for Washington got even more uncomfortable on the FOX broadcast when Tom Brady cut through the usual polished NFL telecast language with a blunt, memorable description of a Dak Prescott throw. The moment immediately became one of the days most replayed bits, another reminder that when a game turns ugly, the broadcast booth can wind up driving as much conversation as the action on the field.
Brady also reacted to the injury to Jayden Daniels, whose left elbow bent unnaturally in a scene that left viewers concerned. Between the injury scare and Bradys unfiltered commentary, Washingtons setback drew attention well beyond the scoreboard, turning a miserable game into the kind of afternoon that lingered for reasons no one around the Commanders wanted. [Read more 🡒]
Sonny Styles Sent A Message Commanders Fans Should Love
Sonny Styles made an immediate impression in his debut for Washington, flashing the kind of disruptive play the Commanders have been looking for on defense. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, the rookie linebacker finished with four tackles, two for loss, a sack and a quarterback hit, a strong first showing even in a 24-22 defeat.
Styles still sounded like a player intent on sharpening the rough edges after the opener, which is exactly the sort of mindset Washington wants from a young defender who already looks ready to contribute. The Commanders now turn to the Dallas Cowboys, and if Styles carries that same energy into Week 2, he could quickly become one of the more encouraging early storylines on this roster. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Injury Suddenly Overshadows Another Brutal Commanders Loss
Another loss to Dallas was bad enough for Washington, but the bigger concern came from the quarterback position when Jayden Daniels went down with a left elbow injury during the game. The Commanders were already trying to absorb a 37-20 defeat as Dak Prescott lit them up for four touchdown passes and set the Cowboys franchise record for career touchdown throws with his 249th.
For Washington, the scoreboard turned secondary once Daniels had to leave with an injury, especially with several other Commanders also exiting during the game. What was supposed to be another divisional measuring stick quickly became a grim day for a team that left Arlington with both a lopsided loss and a longer injury list to sort through. [Read more 🡒]