The Washington Commanders have been aggressive in improving the roster this offseason. More new arrivals are on the way via the 2026 NFL Draft, so everything is coming together with pressure building after a poor campaign.
But in reality, the Commanders' bouncing back next season could have a much simpler deciding factor.
Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders got everything they needed and much more from Daniels in Year 1 of his professional career. He put together arguably the best rookie campaign of any quarterback in NFL history, immediately surging to superstardom and also getting Washington within one game of the Super Bowl.
Commanders' bounce-back chances in 2026 depend on Jayden Daniels' health
Things didn't go nearly as well last time around. Daniels played just seven games, finishing four. A myriad of frustrating injuries dented his supreme momentum, and the team completely capitulated. Questions about his long-term durability inevitably surfaced, but the confidence in the building is unwavering.
And if Daniels gets back to anything like his 2024 form, Kevin Sheehan of The Team 980 is among those who believe Washington's fortunes are going to improve dramatically.
"I would certainly join the crew that says for Washington to be anywhere near a team that they resembled two years ago, Jayden's gonna have to really play well. He's gonna have to be a high-level, borderline elite quarterback. He's got the potential to be that. He was that two years ago."
Daniels cannot do it alone, of course. But the way he masked so many other frailties in his rookie year means the squad won't have to improve much at all for the Commanders to be more competitive in 2026.
If anything, this roster looks to have better balance than the one that miraculously reached the NFC Championship game. If the Commanders can find a dynamic receiver in the draft, if they take Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 7 pick, and if Brandon Aiyuk eventually joins the ranks, it will be all systems go for Daniels.
Staying healthy is critical. The Commanders are looking to better insulate the signal-caller under David Blough's new schematic concepts. That's only going to help, but some slight tweaks to his playing style are also needed to minimize the risk of complications.
Daniels is highly competitive. How last season unfolded no doubt left a bitter taste in the mouth, and the former LSU star will be striving to silence some increasing doubters. If there is some good luck along the way, Washington won't be an easy out for anybody.
And sometimes, the simplest solution is the best.
Add us as a preferred source on Google