The discussion around Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels this summer has been focused more on his jersey number at LSU than anything having to do with his current play, but that will change next weekend.
Daniels will make his first start since Week 14 of last season when the Commanders face the Eagles in Week 1 and he’ll be making his first start since the Commanders replaced offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury with David Blough. When Daniels does take the field, people will be watching to see how he runs an offense that has him under center and huddling more often than in the past as well as whether he can be the dynamic player he was as a rookie without the injuries that swamped his 2025 season.
In an interview with Albert Breer of SI.com, Daniels acknowledged those questions and that he has to show he has grown as a player since taking the Commanders to the 2024 NFC Championship Game.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” Daniels said. “A lot of people, what they last saw was me getting hurt, so what can I say? I can’t live off of what was done in ’24. Obviously, salute to the other guys in my class. Drake [Maye] did what he did. So did Caleb [Williams]. So did Bo [Nix]. Hopefully, down the line, we can go down as the greatest QB class. I know we have a long way to go, but shout out to them, honestly. So I have a chance, when I get out there, in Week 1, to showcase my talents once again, and remind a lot of people.”
The ultimate success of the Commanders will come down to more than just how Daniels performs, but the quarterback’s play will have a lot to do with how the overall trajectory of the franchise is viewed after a smashing start came to a crashing end last year.
