Jayden Daniels is aiming to remind the world why he belongs in the elite category of NFL quarterbacks next season. The Washington Commanders are also counting on their franchise player to spearhead a renaissance, and there is much more at stake than that.
Year 3 means a great deal to Daniels, for several reasons. He'll be focused on the football side of things, which involves staying healthy, embracing offensive coordinator David Blough's new schematic concepts, and leading the Commanders back to prominence after a down year by head coach Dan Quinn's high standards in 2025.
But there are also other benefits that would come from a Daniels bounce-back when competitive action resumes.
Jayden Daniels' extension projection raises the stakes for Commanders in 2026
The former LSU standout will be extension-eligible after the 2026 campaign. If Daniels gets back to anything like his rookie form, the Commanders would be wise to give him a long-term deal at the earliest possible opportunity. But given how quarterback contracts around the league are soaring as the salary cap rises, that won't be cheap.
According to Spotrac, the early market projections for Daniels reflect precisely that. As things stand, the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year is set to get a three-year, $160.11 million deal. This works out at $53.37 million a year, making him the fifth-highest paid quarterback in the league.
And if Daniels takes a leap forward, this figure might be a conservative estimate come push time.
Money will be the last thing on Daniels' mind right now. He's earned plenty of that through NIL in college, his fully guaranteed rookie deal as the No. 2 pick, and other endorsements. He's football first and worries about the rest later. He'll also be striving with everything he has to silence some doubters who are growing in number.
Critics have claimed that Daniels isn't dependable. He apparently cannot stay healthy enough to warrant a lofty financial commitment. But looking at his overall football journey, last season should be an anomaly rather than the start of anything more concerning.
The Commanders will go as Daniels takes them. Much has been made about the lack of legitimate weapons in the passing game, but more arrivals will be on the way before Week 1. But when it's all said and done, the signal-caller carries the weight of the franchise's hopes on his shoulders.
And if he produces the goods, the Commanders will be giving out the richest contract in franchise history soon after.
Add us as a preferred source on Google