"Dynamic" Commanders Could Change Outlook of Jayden Daniels

2026 marks the year that quarterback Jayden Daniels will get a chance to re-prove himself around the league after a mixed bag over his first two seasons with the Washington Commanders.

But that's not his own doing. After dazzling en route to an NFC Championship game appearance and Rookie of the Year Award in 2024, injuries proved to be the tale of year two for Daniels after seven appearances and four complete games in 2025. The noise has led to some skepticism from NFL media as to whether the LSU product can stay healthy in the NFL, a question that he also faced for his at-times bold runs during his Heisman Trophy season in 2023.

Yet the skillset Daniels showed when he was healthy is reason for optimism from NFL media -- and continued confidence around Washington ahead of year three. Daniels was tabbed an honorable mention selection by ESPN after analyzing the best quarterbacks heading into 2026, yet the arguably disappointing selection came with praise after an NFL personnel evaluator noted he "would still take him over the other quarterbacks [from his draft class] from a pure quarterback, decision-making standpoint."

Caleb Williams, who went one pick before Daniels, rounded out ESPN's top ten while Drake Maye, who went one pick after Daniels, landed at eighth ahead of their third seasons.

While Daniels will look to prove the rankings wrong in 2026, he will do so in a scheme that could end up being designed to make Daniels just as much of a threat between the chance to connect on deep balls coupled with the ability to create while in space on bootlegs and play action. While Daniels previously open about the trust between he and former coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, the arrival of David Blough adds another layer of chemistry between them as they look to implement the scheme shift.

Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky admitted he's bullish on the changes after naming the Commanders his breakout team on offense ahead of 2026, pointing to that scheme fit with an emphasis on the run and play action anchored by an underrated offensive line. While also noting he's high on rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams, who could step in as the slot receiver, Orlovsky added Washington's offense has a chance to be "really, really dynamic."

If Washington lives up to that description as a dynamic offense, then it's a safe assumption Daniels could find himself as a ranked quarterback on next year's list as he, Maye and Williams will be under the microscope in year three.

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