The Washington Commanders opened OTAs this week, and quarterback Jayden Daniels was back on the practice field. Daniels, who missed 10 games with various injuries in a disappointing 2025 season, is 100% healthy and looking for redemption.
With Daniels injured for much of last season, fellow second-year quarterbacks Drake Maye, Caleb Williams and Bo Nix had outstanding sophomore seasons. Daniels, who had been considered by some to already be a top-five quarterback ahead of last season, was now an afterthought. Out of sight, out of mind, it seemed.
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Washington fans didn’t forget Daniels’ spectacular rookie season. Daniels didn’t just have a record-setting regular season; he carried the Commanders to two road wins in the NFC playoffs and into the NFC Championship Game. It was Washington’s first championship game appearance in 33 years. When we say that Daniels put his team on his back, he often carried the Commanders in the playoffs. When Washington needed a third-down conversion, Daniels found a way to make it happen. Daniels was even better on fourth downs, converting at a record rate.
Most importantly, Daniels saved his best work for when it mattered the most: the fourth quarter. How impressive has Daniels been in the “money quarter” over the first two seasons of his NFL career? Consider this stat from a senior NFL researcher.
