Jayden Daniels' fierce competitiveness never tires. Even when the Washington Commanders were getting blown out by the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, head coach Dan Quinn relied on his signal-caller to salvage some semblance of respectability from another prime-time debacle.
This was a grave error in judgment. Daniels suffered what is reportedly a dislocated left elbow that will leave him on the shelf for an extended period — potentially even for the rest of 2025.
And one damning statistic only underscored Quinn's inexplicable decision in even more critical terms.
Commanders' floundering protection should have made Dan Quinn's decision simple
ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed that Daniels was pressured on 51% of his dropbacks in Week 9. This included 61% in the second half as the offensive line folded like a cheap suit, waving the white flag and letting the signal-caller try and gain momentum almost single-handed.
"According to ESPN Research, [Jayden] Daniels was pressured on a career-high 51% of his dropbacks Sunday night, including 61% in the second half. He was hit 14 times, according to TruMedia, the second most he had been hit this season. In Week 2, Daniels was hit 17 times against Green Bay, with one of those hits to his knee resulting in a sprain and two-week absence."Adam Schefter
If Quinn wasn't aware of this, he should have been.
He'd have to be blind to miss what was unfolding in front of his eyes. Daniels was running for his life, scrambling from the pocket constantly in a desperate attempt to keep the chains moving. His receivers weren't getting open, and the protection was nonexistent. And yet, the coach kept his prized possession in harm's way.
Regardless of the MRI results, this was organizational malpractice. Not every starter can come out of a game during blowouts. There aren't enough bodies for that, but the Commanders should have ended Daniels' night early, especially considering he's dealt with knee and hamstring problems already this season.
Any hope the Commanders had of turning their season around is gone. That was the case with or without Daniels, in all honesty, so it might be worth throwing in the towel and sitting Washington's franchise player for the entire campaign, whether he likes it or not.
Daniels was like a lamb to the slaughter behind woeful protection that couldn't withstand the heat coming their way. The tape sessions are not going to be kind, and the cost goes far beyond anything the film can show.
Things have already spiraled beyond comprehension. And they have the scope to get a whole lot worse before the 2026 offseason arrives.