Jayden Daniels was running around last week during Commanders OTAs, throwing darts to receivers all over the field. On-site reporters said he looked good executing new offensive coordinator David Blough’s scheme. Then he took to the podium and flashed that trademark smile, saying he’s healthy again and ready to put a “miserable” 2025 season behind him.
The Commander quarterback is looking to expand his impact in 2026, taking an active leadership role even beyond the demands of his position.
“I was
able to come out here and make and impact, so guys will look at me since Year 1, but now it’s about building that connection with everybody within the locker room,” Daniels said last week. “I do have a voice and a lot of people listen to what I have to say. My goal is to continue to show up and be myself every day.”
If Daniels is himself, the Commanders have a top-tier quarterback. True story.
While last season was an exercise in mental anguish and physical pain, there’s no doubting that Daniels is a game changer.
“One of the traits I admire the most about him is his ability to deliver in clutch moments,” head coach Dan Quinn said last week. “And that’s something that goes with the work and the preparation to go do that. But I think just his competitive nature almost answers that all the time. That he’s always wanting to prove and get to that space.”
Let this tweet from NFL Research serve as a reminder.
It dropped just two days after an open OTA practice, with Daniels looking good in this stage of the offseason program. That number includes 2025, when things weren’t always right even in the seven games Daniels actually played.
Daniels had a 128.7 passer rating in the fourth quarter last season, with 71% completion rate, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Before we assume that’s just garbage time work, he had a 133.3 passer rating in the fourth quarter of a one-score game.
He was far-and-away at his best late in games, which is no surprise after watching him work as a rookie.
The LSU product had four fourth-quarter comebacks, per Pro Football Reference, and as many game-winning drives, with two of them overcoming a double-digit deficit. He had a 113.5 passer rating in the fourth quarter in 2024, with a 71% completion rate, 8.2 yards per attempt, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. He had a 101.9 passer rating in the fourth quarter of a one-score game.
So, as Quinn said, he’s clutch.
That trait doesn’t go away. In fact, it should be enhanced with an improved offensive line and skill players, as our Mark Tyler has described time and again this offseason.
And, if the defense is truly improved as we believe it will be in 2026, one more number should give Washington fans optimism about what Daniels can do if he stays healthy.
The Commanders were right on that edge in 2024, allowing 23 points per game. They allowed 26.5 points per game in 2025. Bringing that number down, plus a Daniels return to form, could produce a quality season this fall.
