Jayden Daniels has been the subject of doubt for the first time in his NFL career. The Washington Commanders quarterback faces questions about his durability after featuring just seven times last season, but he is more than capable of silencing his doubters.
It's not like Daniels is lacking in motivation right now. But if he wanted more fuel for his fire, the former LSU phenom now has it.
In a somewhat surprising move, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was chosen for this year's Madden cover. This caused a stir and sparked fierce debates on social media about whether the signal-caller was deserving. And while he is not classed among the NFL's elite gunslingers, the USC product took a massive leap forward in 2025.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is looking to regain his throne among 2024 NFL Draft class
This could have been Daniels had it not been for an injury-hit campaign. But in terms of being a Madden cover star, it has also been a poisoned chalice.
The Madden Curse is a real thing. Countless players who've featured on the front over the decades have suffered massive misfortune the following season. It doesn't happen every year, but it does happen.
The NFL is extremely unpredictable. Fortunes can change quickly, and injuries can happen in the blink of an eye. While it might be a coincidence, the Madden Curse is a stigma Williams will now look to hold off as the Bears aim for another postseason berth.
Daniels has no such problem.
There is already a steely determination in his approach this offseason. Teammates have taken notice, seeing some difference in the dynamic dual-threat as he looks to right the wrong of last year. He's leading from the front, and everyone is following. And for all the improvements made by the Commanders this offseason, they will only go as far as Daniels takes them.
The 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year got the better of Williams during their rookie seasons. The No. 1 pick had a much better year last time out, and Drake Maye was in serious NFL MVP consideration after leading the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl. Daniels endured some torrid luck on the injury front, falling behind through no real fault of his own.
If Daniels had been anything like the player who took the league by storm as a rookie last season, there is a good chance he would be on this year's Madden cover. He still might be in the years to come, but this is all predicated on returning to the player Commanders fans instantly took to their hearts.
And this will only spur him on even more.
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