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Sports Illustrated
Jayden Daniels Is Making Commanders Football Fun Again—and Doing It His Own Way
This story is part of Sports Illustrated’s 2025 Power List, honoring the 50 most influential figures in sports right now. Read more in the October issue and check out who made this year’s Power Couples, Power Siblings and the Next Generation.
While he has remained remarkably in the moment, he has clearly had time to consider how he wants his life to go from here. Calling it a star rise is a bit of a misnomer because the creation of an actual star is bound by science. We can quantify
and understand what leads to the final radiant burst of energy.
But in the NFL, the entire star-making enterprise can feel like riding alongside a New York City delivery cyclist weaving through the streets of the Upper West Side. There is a moment each year when a player seems to become less himself and more a product of the NFL’s all-possessing, all-encompassing algorithm of content. That moment does not always feel conscious or even consented to. At the very least, it can be disorienting.
When asked about his own concept of personal power heading into his second NFL season, though, Daniels’s response is both incredibly thoughtful and ambitious.
“I would just say the concept of power is more so just being able to control your own narrative,” he says. “And really do what you want to do and tell your story.”
ESPN
NFL Week 3 picks, predictions, schedule, odds, fantasy tips
What we’re hearing on the Raiders: Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu has been a pleasant surprise. Laulu, a 2024 seventh-rounder, has already totaled three sacks and four pressures through two games. Last season, he had only one sack in 17 games (seven starts). “He’s just blossomed,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He had enough plays on film coming off of last year that caught my eye. … He’s done a nice job. He’s been very active, been really consistent with his play.” — Ryan McFadden
What we’re hearing on the Commanders: Washington allowed Green Bay TE Tucker Kraft to catch six passes for 124 yards in Week 2 — and now it must face arguably the top player at that position in Brock Bowers. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said eye discipline was a key issue versus the Packers; too often, the Commanders lost sight of Kraft because of late motion or play-actions that fooled them. Washington will have to handle that much better versus Bowers, who lines up all over the field. “He’s a dynamic young tight end,” Whitt said. “You have to treat him like a receiver.” — John Keim
Stat to know: The Raiders’ defense has allowed 3.2 yards per rush this season — fourth fewest in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Commanders are averaging 5.3 yards per rush — third most. — ESPN Research
Injuries: Raiders | Commanders
Fantasy nugget: Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt appears to be the front-runner for the most touches in Washington’s backfield after Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles in Week 2. The preseason standout has averaged 7.1 yards per carry on 14 attempts, and he’s firmly on the flex radar. The Commanders could lean on the run heavily since QB Jayden Daniels is dealing with a knee injury. See Week 3 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: The Raiders have covered six straight games on short rest. The Commanders are 11-29-1 ATS on short rest since 2013. Read more. — ESPN Research
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
John Bates could miss the Raiders game due to injury, so how might the Commanders look to run the ball without him?
Ben Sinnott stepping up
The option I suspect most fans will be expecting is 2024 second round pick Ben Sinnott step up in Bates’ absence. He is the next guy in line and is a better blocker than Zach Ertz, but he’s not at the same level as Bates, especially as an inline blocker. Kingsbury was asked about Sinnott stepping up in his press conference on Thursday, and why Sinnott’s snaps didn’t increase after Bates went out against the Packers.
“He’s a guy who is versatile in that role. I think the game [against Green Bay] at some point there in the second half, mid-second half, got where we had to throw it more than we would have liked anyway with the score. But yeah, I’m excited to get him out there, get him going, having a full week of practice and doing some different things. I think he can play inline. We see him probably more as an off the ball guy, but he’s serviceable inline.”
Those last few lines are telling. They don’t see Sinnott as an inline blocker yet, they see him more of an off-ball blocker. What that means is the core blocking schemes that they run with Bates, where Bates is lined up next to either the right or left tackle and can block a bigger defensive lineman aren’t the types of blocks they see Sinnott being successful at right now.
RPOs
Run-pass option plays (RPOs) are a great way to manipulate the defense into generating good looks in the run game. They typically work one of two ways. The first is with numbers. The quarterback counts the number of defenders in the box and then the number of defenders over the passing option and decides pre-snap if it’s better to run or pass based on the number of defenders in those spots. The other way it’s done is by having the quarterback read a single defender, usually a linebacker. If that defender triggers on the run, the quarterback can pull the ball and throw a pass into the space vacated by the defender. If the defender holds his position, the quarterback can hand it off and the offensive line doesn’t have to block that defender.
Either way it’s done, the offense gets an advantage and helps in the run game. When it comes to Bates though, typically the Commanders would use him as an inline tight end as part of the run scheme. Without him, they would have to get creative, but Kingsbury did show some fun RPOs last year that involved Ertz as the tight end running a route as part of the pass option.
The Athletic (paywall)
What are the odds Jayden Daniels plays? Should Josh Conery Jr. sit? Commanders mailbag
What’s the latest on (Sam) Cosmi? Is he expected to be ready after sitting out the first four games, or will he more likely come back later in the season? — Mike S.
It would be later. Even if he’s medically cleared by Week 5, I’d be shocked if the team threw him in immediately. It would put him at risk, and the rest of the line at risk. Cosmi hasn’t taken a live rep since January, so he’d need a ramp-up to get back in football shape. How long that will take is unclear. Coach Dan Quinn has been a stickler about “return-to-play” processes for players dealing with injuries, and there’s no way he’ll rush it with Cosmi. Certainly not after Washington gave him a $74 million extension last year.
Why are they reluctant to sit (Josh) Conerly and start (Andrew) Wylie in his place for a few games? — Mark A.
Conerly has played in all of two NFL games. And he’s a first-round pick. That’d be a heck of an investment to just throw away after only two outings.
Plus, context matters. Adjusting to the pros is difficult for most rookies, but especially in the trenches, where the physicality and technique can often feel completely different from college. Conerly, no doubt, has a ways to go, but he’s also faced two of the top defensive fronts in the league, in the Giants and Packers, and he’ll soon take on Maxx Crosby with the Raiders.
If they replace anyone on the O-line this week, I could see it being Nick Allegretti, who is filling in at right guard for Cosmi.
Are you comfortable estimating a percentage chance that Jayden plays this weekend, or is it more likely he sits this one out? — Susiekshaffer
Maybe a 40 percent chance? Forty-five percent? I’ll be honest, I don’t have a good sense. I thought he’d definitely sit in Week 8 last season after he suffered the rib injury and went through a similar routine ahead of the Bears game. But then he started and threw a Hail Mary touchdown that will go down as one of the greatest plays in franchise history.
That he finished the game in Green Bay last week and was able to throw some on Wednesday are promising signs — at least, I want to believe they are. But I know the team wants to be especially careful with his knee. It’s only Week 3 and Quinn doesn’t want to put his quarterback at risk of a more significant injury by rushing him back.
Now that the D.C. Council has approved the new stadium project, I was wondering whether the image that has been shown in the media (is) an actual rendition of the planned Commanders stadium? Or is this just an idea? — Unipurr0301
There are multiple renderings that have been circulated and none of them are the actual one. The team has yet to choose an architect, let alone a design.
The designs with the translucent roof were circulated by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s office as conceptual renderings when they announced their deal for the stadium back in April. They were created to essentially get people hyped about their deal and to provide a general visual before everything was sent to the D.C. Council for approval.
[I]s “win now” a risky strategy that might backfire badly? — David M.
I think there’s a distinct difference between “win now” and “all or nothing.” The Commanders are trying to win now, but they’re not putting everything into this season. It’s not as black and white as one might think. They do have some young guys they’re trying to develop and they’ve strategically paired them with proven veterans while creating a roster with financial flexibility.
At quarterback, they paired Daniels with Mariota. At running back, Ekeler was the veteran leader (before his injury) to Bill. Zach Ertz is helping mentor Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff at tight end, Laremy Tunsil is working with Conerly and Brandon Coleman on the offensive line, Bobby Wagner is helping Jordan Magee at linebacker and so on.
So, in a sense, the team is still rebuilding. It’s just expedited the process a bit, thanks to Daniels. But it could also slow down if the offense continues to struggle.
Heavy.com
Jeremy McNichols : Back to full practice
McNichols (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. McNichols’ hamstring issue is evidently minor, as he’s back at practice in a full capacity. With Austin Ekeler (Achilles) set to miss the remainder of the season, McNichols appears to be the next man up as the Commanders’ third-down and long-down-and-distance running back after handling 16 offensive snaps following Ekeler’s injury last Thursday. McNichols is unlikely to be fantasy relevant.
Commanders Wire
Washington Commanders vs. Las Vegas Raiders: 3 causes for concern in Week 3
Next man up?
Dan Quinn was asked about the loss of John Bates’ blocking ability as he nurses a groin injury, and while he didn’t give a “real” answer, he essentially said that it’s next man up. That means Ben Sinnott has to step into that role opposite starting tight end Zach Ertz.
That logic can also be applied to the defensive side of the ball, where Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones have been placed on injured reserve. Preston Smith may be new to this particular team, but he was originally drafted by the Commanders when he entered the league, so he is familiar with the organization. He should be able to step in and have an impact relatively quickly.
As for Jones, his loss means that Trey Amos and Marshon Lattimore are the only true outside corners, with Mike Sainristil and Noah Igbinoghene in the slot, although both can play outside. With limited personnel, the secondary players who are available will be tasked with more snaps.
Podcasts & videos
Dorance Armstrong on Leadership & the Raiders + Dexter Manley on Overcoming Adversity | Next Man Up
Ready for the Las Vegas Raiders + Smoot’s JACKPOT! | Command Center | Washington Commanders | NFL
NFL.com picks NFC East games
NFL Week 3 picks: Will Cowboys, Steelers suffer upsets?
NFC East links
Blogging the Boys
Cowboys have QB advantage vs. Bears, but Matt Eberflus needs a plan in Chicago return
Williams has completed 60% of his passes in both Bears losses this season, spread the ball around to a deep list of pass catchers, and made plays with his legs as well. The Cowboys may still have an advantage at the position thanks to Prescott, but Williams and the Bears offense present a real challenge to the Cowboys defense. In his only other home game this season, Williams went six-for-six on the Bears’ opening drive and ran in a touchdown. The Bears appeared in control all night on a Monday versus the Vikings, but let the game slip away late and now find themselves in an 0-2 hole for the second time in three years.
Just like the Giants last week in Arlington, the Bears are a desperate opponent the Cowboys will have to match in intensity. Coming out in a passive zone defense against a Ben Johnson offense that put up 47 points against the Cowboys a season ago (with the Lions) feels like a tenuous way to do this, but the Cowboys secondary is still without DaRon Bland, rookie Shavon Revel, or Caelen Carson.
No matter what level it comes from, the Cowboys defense needs a playmaker they can rely on to bring a spark right now, and will be searching for that still in the absence of Micah Parsons in their third game at the Bears. The last time these two teams met, Parsons had a 36-yard fumble return touchdown to make it a three-score lead for the Cowboys in the third quarter.
dallascowboys.com
Why are the Cowboys playing so much zone coverage on the backend if it’s not working?
It’s Matt Eberflus’ calling card. That doesn’t mean the entirety of the blame is on his shoulders, though. I thought the Cowboys handled the Eagles just fine in zone coverage during Week 1. I don’t think a lot of the secondary players were on the same page in Week 2, which led to some of the deep shots and chunk gains from the Giants offense.
I think the reason is because it’s what Eberflus has done over the course of his career and had success doing. In the last six years that Eberflus has been a defensive play caller, he’s used zone coverage at at least a 10% higher rate than the league average of 67.9% in four of those seasons. The bigger questions may be whether or not Eberflus has the pieces on the roster to be able to run that much zone, which is a totally separate conversation.
Big Blue View
Giants’ DC Shane Bowen knows he has ‘got to be better’
Fans aren’t the only ones second-guessing Bowen’s end of regulation defensive call, the coach is second-guessing himself
The Giants poured significant resources during the offseason into a defense co-owner John Mara had called out at the end of last season, saying “I’m tired of watching teams go up and down the field on us.”
The Giants signed Holland, cornerback Paulson Adebo, defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris and edge defender Chauncey Golston to significant free-agent contracts. They drafted edge defender Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick, and defensive tackle Darius Alexander in Round 3.
The results through the first two games have not been good. The Giants are:
- Last in the league in yards allowed.
- 27th in points allowed.
- Last in rushing yards allowed.
- 31st in yards allowed per rushing attempt.
- Last in total yards allowed.
- 28th in yards allowed per play.
- Last in first downs allowed. The 57 they have surrendered is 10 more than any other team.
- 26th in completion percentage allowed.
- 29th in passing yards allowed per game.
- 31st in the league in Expected Points Added (EPA) on second and third down.
To his credit, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen did not hide on Thursday from his role in the New York Giants’ failure on Sunday to protect a three-point lead over the Dallas Cowboys in the final :25 of regulation, ultimately leading to a 40-37 overtime defeat.
The play that has been discussed again and again is an 18-yard pass from Dak Prescott to Jake Ferguson that moved the ball from the Dallas 33-yard line to the Giants’ 49-yard line. It got Dallas in position to set all-world placekicker Brandon Aubrey up for a game-tying 64-yard field goal.
“Credit to him making a 64-yarder, but we knew that was his range,” Bowen said. “Just trying to defend the line as best we could.
“Wish we would have been tighter. A little bit tighter. Again, just like all these calls that don’t work, second guess that you probably wish you went a different direction. A tough, tough situation to come down to that one play. I got to be better.”
Bowen admitted that “how the call worked out, I would have liked to have a different call.”
Blogging the Boys
NFC East update: Cowboys, Commanders in second-place race
One of the major threats to Philly’s goal, the Green Bay Packers, just sent a message in a dominant win over the Commanders. As the upper crust of the NFC takes shape, wins like this one help draw the lines. Washington is still a good team and playoff contender, but they’ll need to bring more than they did last Sunday if they want to join the NFC elite.
After earning respect in their season-opening loss to Philly, the Cowboys may have lost some by barely getting past the Giants. New York probably isn’t as bad as their 0-2 record might lead some to believe. They certainly forced Dallas into an all-time lousy defensive performance. But still, we’ve started the season with a difficult gauge of just how competitive the Cowboys can be for the long haul.
Ahead of Week 3, here are the NFC East standings:
- Philadelphia Eagles 2-0 (1-0 in division, 1-0 vs NFC)
- Washington Commanders 1-1 (1-0, 1-1)
- Dallas Cowboys 1-1 (1-1, 1-1)
- New York Giants 0-2 (0-2, 0-2)
We get a break from divisional play this week. The Cowboys are traveling to Chicago while the Eagles and Commanders host the Rams and Raiders, respectively. The NFC East teams are all favored going in, but none of their opponents are pushovers. For Dallas and Washington, especially, these are critical games to show where they belong in projections for playoff contenders.
Turf Show Times
5Qs, 5As with Bleeding Green Nation
When it comes to the top NFC teams, here’s how I currently have them listed in my weekly NFL power rankings that I do for BGN:
1st in NFC (1st overall) — Philadelphia Eagles
2nd in NFC (4th overall) — Green Bay Packers
3rd in NFC (5th overall) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4th in NFC (6th overall) — Los Angeles Rams
5th in NFC (8th overall) — Detroit Lions
While you can debate the exact order, there shouldn’t be debate that these are the top five teams in the conference. The San Francisco 49ers might figure in since their schedule is so easy but they’ve also got injury issues going on.
Despite me having the Packers ranked over them, the Bucs stand out as the Eagles’ biggest threat in the NFC. Philly’s struggled with that specific matchup for multiple seasons now. Todd Bowles has Jalen Hurts’ number and Baker Mayfield presents problems for this defense. I’d say most of Philadelphia is fully expecting the Eagles to lose to the Bucs in Week 4.
After the Bucs, I’d say the Packers (that defense is so good) and then the Rams.
Upcoming opponent
Silver & Black Pride
Silver & Black Pride
Raiders Week 2: Keep attacking deep
Getting stymied by Chargers shouldn’t dissuade Las Vegas from taking shots downfield
Yes, the tape is out there after two games on how to and how not to defend a Kelly-orchestrated offense. New England decided to deploy majority man coverage concepts and got burnt. Los Angeles, meanwhile, went with a more zone-focused approach and both suffocated and stymied the Raiders offensive attack.
From gunslinger hitting the bullseye in Week 1 to misfiring in Week 2, Geno Smith’s first two games as the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback went from an encouraging high to a disconcerting low.
Smith went right at the Los Angeles Chargers defense this past Monday night; however, instead of hitting his mark like he did in the rain at the New England Patriots in the season opener, the 34-year-old quarterback didn’t complete any of the dozen throws over 10 yards downfield against the Bolts.
That said, it shouldn’t dissuade Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly or Smith from attacking deep. The Silver & Black should keep pushing the envelope — like I noted a week ago, bold Kelly is what Raiders need — and not clam up or recede like a turtle defensively hiding in its own shell.
Yes, the tape is out there after two games on how to and how not to defend a Kelly-orchestrated offense. New England decided to deploy majority man coverage concepts and got burnt. Los Angeles, meanwhile, went with a more zone-focused approach and both suffocated and stymied the Raiders offensive attack.
With the NFL being a copycat league, don’t be surprised if the host Commanders (1-1 overall) dabble in zone concepts to see if they can mimic what the Chargers (2-0) did to the Raiders (1-1) under the primetime lights. Washington defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. uses a combination of man and zone coverages but his philosophy is rooted in aggressive play style that features physicality and violence. He does lean more towards pressure man concepts with blitzing all with intent to disrupt the opposing quarterback.
Fortunately for Kelly and Smith, they’ve seen this already on the young season as the Patriots deploy a similar style and the Raiders took full advantage. Las Vegas couldn’t do so against Los Angeles’ two-high zone shell, however.
Silver & Black Pride
Clelin Ferrell replaces Khalil Mack, again!
The year is 2019 and the Oakland Raiders replace Khalil Mack with Clelin Ferrell.
The year is 2025 and the Los Angeles Chargers replace Khalil Mack with Clelin Ferrell.
With the Raiders’ 2014 No. 5 overall pick going on injured reserve for the Chargers, Los Angeles is signing the Raiders’ 2019 No. 4 overall pick to fill the open spot on the roster. Time is a flat circle, lol.
NFL league links
Articles
Washington Post (paywall)
NFL instructs officials to watch for false starts and offsides on the tush push
In a training tape, the league says the Eagles should have been penalized at least once in Sunday’s win over the Chiefs.
In its training tape for game officials this week, the NFL said the Philadelphia Eagles should have been called for a false start that went unpenalized on at least one of their tush pushes during Sunday’s victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, instructing officials to call “these plays tight and make sure that every aspect of the offensive team is legal.”
The tape was distributed to head coaches and general managers of all NFL teams via a link in a memo from the league’s officiating department Wednesday.
In it, the NFL showed the Eagles using their signature short-yardage play to push Jalen Hurts for a first down on third and one with 5:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The NFL sends a weekly training video to game officials and teams to analyze plays from the previous weekend’s games.
A person familiar with the league’s rulemaking process said this week that the Eagles’ offensive linemen moving too early on the tush push was “a definite problem two years ago” but they “cleaned [it] up last year.” That person said the Eagles’ uncalled false starts on the push play were “noticeable” Sunday against the Chiefs.
The push play also was mentioned in a separate officiating rules video that was sent to the 32 teams in Wednesday’s memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post.
That video showed a tush push by the New Orleans Saints during a Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
“When we run the push play, as we mentioned before, the formations have to be legal,” Walt Anderson, the NFL’s officiating rules analyst, said in that video. “In this situation, multiple players on the offense are offsides. This was properly called by the game officials. The left guard, the right guard and right tackle are three that are clearly, obviously lined up in the neutral zone at the snap. Offsides was properly called on this play. If you’re going to run this push play, you have to have that formation legal.”
Discussion topics
ESPN
2025 NFL trade deadline: Candidates to move, teams to watch
Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami Dolphins
Another 2021 first-round pick playing out his fifth-year option with no deal beyond 2025, Phillips could be a very interesting target for pass rush-needy teams if the Dolphins fall out of contention and decide they aren’t going to keep him long term.
He has had trouble staying healthy, but he’s healthy right now, and a prorated portion of his $13.251 million salary wouldn’t be too onerous in a league in which everyone’s always looking for edge rushers. Phillips had 15.5 sacks over this first two seasons in the NFL before injuries limited him to 12 games over the next two years.
Five teams that could look to subtract
Cleveland Browns
Starting the season 0-2 and seemingly already positioning themselves to be a big factor in next year’s draft (two first-round picks), the Browns could very easily be dealing away players by early November. Cornerback Greg Newsome II and tight end David Njoku are among the veterans in the final years of their contracts who could be of interest to teams looking for help at the deadline.
New Orleans Saints
Another team for which outside expectations were fairly low coming into this season, the Saints are off to an 0-2 start in their first season under coach Kellen Moore and might end up looking to retool their roster for the future. Veterans such as running back Alvin Kamara (144 rushing yards this season) and receiver Chris Olave (108 receiving yards) — each of whom is signed through 2026 — could be of interest to teams looking for skill position help down the stretch.
New York Giants
New York picked up the fifth-year option on edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, so he’s signed through 2026. But given the Giants’ depth in the defensive front seven, they could certainly get calls on someone such as Thibodeaux if they’re falling out of contention. He has 1.5 sacks to begin the season.
Las Vegas Raiders
Here we have another team under new management that could be using this season to assess who does or doesn’t fit into Pete Carroll’s program moving forward. If the Raiders fall out of contention in October, it’s not hard to imagine them starting to think about moving a player or two for draft capital.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is off to a great start — he has 165 receiving yards, ninth in the league — but he did request a trade this offseason because he wasn’t able to get the contract extension he wanted from the Raiders. He’s a free agent at the end of the season, and as long as he remains without an extension, it’s fair to wonder whether he’s in the team’s plans for 2026 and beyond.
