Jayden Daniels was despondent when he was told his services would not be needed again in 2025. The Washington Commanders took the long-term view, with the quarterback still awaiting medical clearance, bringing an abrupt and somber end to his sophomore NFL campaign.
Despite this setback, head coach Dan Quinn believes Daniels can still gain a significant amount from his altered role over the coming weeks before attention turns to the offseason. He made his stance on that crystal clear.
Daniels still wants to practice. He might not be preparing to start, but it keeps him around the setup. And sometimes, looking through a different lens can make a massive difference to a player's overall development.
Dan Quinn believes Jayden Daniels can still help Commanders from the sidelines
That was a message Quinn echoed. It'll be a strange feeling, of course, but the respected coach thought learning from a vantage point that Daniels is not used to could potentially bring a different perspective that will serve him well.
"We believe this decision allows him to take advantage of the next few weeks in a different way. He wants to practice and he will practice. He also wants to support Marcus [Mariota] in a way that Marcus has demonstrated and helped him. I thought that was significant. We all know the best way to grow is during the games, but with that, not being the best way for us, there’s plenty of ways for him to learn, over the next three weeks. And you know, he is going to learn from this vantage point too."Dan Quinn via All-Pro Reels
Daniels hasn't had any luck this season. It was challenging to get into an early rhythm thanks to hamstring and knee issues. His dislocated elbow was much more serious. Even though he came back against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, things unraveled quickly.
The Commanders have now thrown in the towel. But make no mistake: that doesn't mean they expect Daniels to check out.
They want him to provide support to veteran signal-caller Marcus Mariota. They want him to stay engaged in the team's strategic planning. They want him to watch a game unfold from the sidelines in real time, which will help him better understand how to decipher defenses and hit the ground running in 2026.
That won't be the same as live-fire reps under center, but it's the next best thing. Daniels' competitive fire fuels the frustration with his current predicament. He should also be professional enough to make the most of the next three weeks before the offseason commences.
Quinn expects precisely that, and Daniels won't let him down.