It’s no secret that Washington Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels had a sophomore 2025 season that he would rather forget. Daniels suffered knee and hamstring injuries, as well as a left dislocated elbow in 2025, limiting him to only seven starts before head coach Dan Quinn made the decision to shut down Daniels for the rest of the season. Daniels’ absence from the offense, injuries to other key players, as well as Washington’s porous defense, are the main reasons for the Commanders’ dismal 5-12 record in 2025.
Washington is counting on Daniels to recover from his myriad of injuries suffered last season and return to his 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year form. It’s a given that Daniels will have to physically and mentally get back into form in his efforts to return the Commanders’ passing and rushing game to prolific status. However, the most underrated aspect of Daniels’ play is his ability to get the most out of his teammates. That ability was prevalent during Daniels’ rookie season, as six different receivers recorded at least 30 receptions. After the 2024 season, wide receivers Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus left Washington to sign lucrative free agent contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears, respectively. The Commanders were 9-2 in one score games (including playoffs) in 2024, and that was largely due to the poise and confidence Daniels displayed throughout his rookie year.
2026 offers a different perspective in regards to the passing game. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season marred by a preseason contract dispute and a core injury that limited him to ten games. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel became the Commanders’ leading receiver, catching 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns. But he is currently a free agent that will most likely seek a long term lucrative deal that Washington might not be able to give him considering his age, as well as the money already given to McLaurin. While Washington does have considerable salary cap space to possibly resign Samuel, Washington might need to consider using their salary cap space to address their glaring needs on defense.
Daniels will need some time to develop on field chemistry with wide receivers Jaylin Lane and Treylon Burks. Lane was drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft. He was pressed into action at wide receiver due to a broken collarbone that ended the season of third year wide receiver Luke McCaffrey. Burks was added to the roster last season to provide depth. Burks was a former first round draft choice of the Tennessee Titans in 2022, and has the size at six foot two inches and 225 pounds to provide Daniels a viable red zone target.
Daniels’ ability to get the most out of his offensive unit will really be tested in regards to the tight end position. Veteran Zach Ertz provided stability and leadership at the tight end position. Unfortunately, his 2025 season ended in Week 14 due to a torn ACL in his right knee. At 35 years of age and coming off such an injury, it is uncertain if Ertz will remain in the Commanders’ offensive plans. Reserves John Bates and Ben Sinnott will receive significant playing time and will need to become viable receiving options for Daniels in the intermediate passing game if Ertz doesn’t figure prominently in Washington’s offense.
For now the Commanders are focusing on Daniels recovering from his injuries and reigniting their once prolific offensive unit. If Daniels can regain a portion of his 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year form, there’s no telling how far he can take the offense.
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