You'd think after a 5-12 season, the vibes in D.C. would be totally bottomed out. People are frustrated. Honestly, it’s been a rough ride lately for the Burgundy and Gold. But if you walk into any sports bar in Arlington or Landover right now, the conversation isn't about whether they need a new signal-caller. It’s about how to protect the one they have.
Jayden Daniels is the undisputed quarterback for the Washington Commanders.
Even though the 2025 season felt like a massive hangover after that electric rookie run, Daniels remains the face of the franchise. It’s weird how fast the narrative shifts in the NFL. One year you're the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the next, you're "shut down" early to save your elbow and your sanity. But let's be real: without #5, this team doesn't have a heartbeat.
The Reality of the 2025 Sophomore Slump
Everyone talks about the "sophomore slump" like it's some mystical curse. It isn't. It’s just what happens when NFL defensive coordinators have 17 games of film on you and decide to take away your favorite toy. In 2024, Jayden was a human highlight reel. He was ripping 40-yard runs and hitting Terry McLaurin on deep posts like it was Madden.
Then 2025 happened.
The numbers weren't "bad," but they weren't the "supernova" stats we saw before. Daniels finished his shortened second season with 1,262 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions across seven starts. He was completing about 60.6% of his passes—a noticeable dip from the nearly 70% clip he maintained as a rookie.
📖 Related: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
Teams stopped being surprised by his speed. They played "spy" coverage constantly. They dared him to beat them from the pocket while their pass rushers pinned their ears back. It worked, mostly because Washington’s offensive line was, well, a work in progress. By the time the team decided to shut him down in December 2025 to let his throwing elbow heal, the season was already slipping away.
Who Is Washington's Quarterback Right Now?
If you're looking at the depth chart as we head into the 2026 offseason, the names behind Daniels tell a story of "break glass in case of emergency."
- Marcus Mariota: The veteran presence. He actually started a chunk of games in late 2025 when Jayden was out. He’s a pro’s pro, but at this stage, he’s a bridge, not the destination.
- Josh Johnson: The man who has played for basically every team in the league. He’s the ultimate safety net.
- Jeff Driskel: Mostly a depth piece and a scout-team hero.
But none of these guys are the answer to "who is Washington's quarterback" in a long-term sense. The organization has hitched its wagon to Daniels. You can see it in the coaching changes they just made. Firing Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. was a "clean slate" move, but the promotion of David Blough to Offensive Coordinator is the real "tell."
Blough was the assistant QBs coach. He’s tight with Jayden. The team is basically saying, "We’re going to build the entire plane out of Jayden Daniels-friendly materials."
The Coaching Shakeup and the 2026 Outlook
The most interesting hire this January wasn't even a coordinator. It was the Commanders bringing in D.J. Williams as the new Quarterbacks Coach. If that name sounds familiar, it should. He’s the son of Doug Williams, the legend who won a Super Bowl for this franchise.
👉 See also: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
Some people are calling it nepotism. Maybe. But the goal is clear: get Jayden Daniels back to his 2024 form. D.J. Williams spent time in Atlanta and New Orleans, and his job is essentially to be Jayden’s shadow.
Why the 2026 Draft Matters (Even Without a First-Round QB)
Washington has the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Since they already have their guy, they aren't looking at the top of the QB class. They’re looking at the guys who can keep Jayden upright.
Watch out for names like Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Mock drafts are already pairing him with Washington. The logic is simple: Terry McLaurin is incredible, but he’s one man. Deebo Samuel Sr. is a free agent, and Zach Ertz is coming off a brutal ACL tear. Daniels needs weapons. He needs a line. He needs a reason to stay in the pocket for more than two seconds.
What Fans Get Wrong About the Current Situation
The loudest voices on social media act like the sky is falling. They see the 5-12 record and assume the "Jayden experiment" failed.
That’s just not true.
✨ Don't miss: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
The defense was the bigger problem last year. They couldn't stop a nosebleed. When you're constantly playing from behind, your young QB has to take risks he shouldn't. That leads to sacks. That leads to hits. That leads to injury shutdowns.
If you want to know who is Washington's quarterback, don't just look at the jersey. Look at the investment. The Commanders are spending their 2026 cap space and draft capital to build a fortress around Jayden. They aren't looking for his replacement; they're looking for his help.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Offseason
If the Commanders want to avoid a repeat of the 2025 disaster, there are three things that need to happen before training camp starts in July:
- Sign a Top-Tier Left Tackle: Whether it's through a massive free-agent splash or using that No. 7 pick on a blindside protector, the "revolving door" at tackle has to stop.
- Diversify the Target Share: They need a legitimate WR2 who can win 1-on-1 matchups. If the defense can't double-team McLaurin every play, the windows for Daniels will get much wider.
- Commit to the Wide-Zone Scheme: David Blough is expected to lean into more wide-zone run concepts. This helps a mobile QB like Jayden by creating easy "roll-out" passing lanes and taking the pressure off the interior line.
The "Quarterback of the Future" is already in the building. Now, the team just has to make sure he actually has a future.