Jayden Daniels' frustration
Jayden Daniels' frustrations were clearly growing as the contest went on. The Los Angeles Rams were throwing everything at him, and the Washington Commanders didn't have the right schematic counters to cope.
Daniels would have benefited greatly from more RPOs, up-tempo, misdirection, and even quick screens to nullify the Rams' pass rush. They didn't arrive, which speaks to rookie offensive coordinator David Blough's inexperience rather than any quarterback failings.
Body language is telling. Something just isn't clicking for a full four quarters this season, and whatever they are doing behind the scenes just isn't showing up on game days.
Daniels passed the blame during his media availability, saying that he runs the calls that come in, whether he likes them or not. There is some freedom to adjust and audible, but the final play checkdown when an end zone heave was needed just typified the lack of awareness and cohesion across the board.
The results speak for themselves.
Washington is 2-5-1, and Daniels admitted after the game that time is running out to save their season. Losing to the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football would be the end, and the trade deadline is coming up as well.
Either way, Daniels is right to look and feel frustrated. Because the Commanders are in real danger of wasting his rookie contract window.
Jayden Daniels isn't Superman, even if the Commanders need him to be
Unless Jayden Daniels plays at an elite level every single week, the Commanders have no chance of winning.
That's unfair, to put it mildly. But it is the unfortunate situation Washington finds itself in once again.
Daniels masked many glaring concerns during his rookie campaign for the ages in 2024. His injury problems in 2025 exposed the flaws in no uncertain terms, and even though he is fighting to turn the tide this season, there are simply too many cracks across the depth chart.
The Commanders are exactly where they didn't want to be. They are asking Daniels to be Superman, which is what brought on all the injury problems last season. His dislocated elbow seems to be holding up in a brace, but this simply isn't sustainable long term.
Daniels was solid against the Rams. Given the team's deficiencies elsewhere, solid isn't enough.
That's an indictment of Adam Peters' roster construction. Daniels is struggling, of course, but we've seen what he can do when everything around him is adequate.
It doesn't have to be prolific around him. It just has to be enough.
There is no doubt Daniels can play better. There is also no doubt that the Commanders are failing their quarterback.
And it'll be interesting to see where they go from here.
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