In 2025, the Washington Commanders underachieved their expectations just as equally as they exceeded them during their storybook run to the NFC Championship game the year before. They went 5-12 with a litany of injuries derailing their campaign, most notably to star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Changes were made. General manager Adam Peters has turned over a significant chunk of his roster, prioritizing youth and depth. More significantly, both of head coach Dan Quinn's coordinators have been replaced, with David Blough and Daronte Jones succeeding Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr.
Neither top assistant has ever held a coordinator position in the NFL before, a major risk in what could become a make-or-break year for the head man. But ultimately, Washington's 2026 season will come down to execution by the players on the field.
Commanders need everything to go right in 2026, and it starts with Jayden Daniels
Commanders' independent reporter Ben Standig appeared on The Team 980 this week to discuss the offensive changes, and he said exactly what needs to be heard when it comes to Daniels.
"We go back to that first year; none of us were like, 'Wow, what a great room that is.' But Jayden Daniels made it work. And if he can do what he does to make this room work, then we won't be worrying about who we got at that second receiver. Ultimately, that's going to be key if he can execute David Blough's plans. It all starts with Jayden."
David Blough as OC was a big swing by Dan Quinn in a crucial year for the Commanders, but it still all comes down to Jayden Daniels, his health and his ability to grow pic.twitter.com/xvRhmEnM53
— The Team 980 (@team980) July 20, 2026
With a superstar player, there need to be superstar standards.
Everybody knows what Daniels is capable of. At his best, he can elevate everybody around him and find ways to win in spite of a lack of help. As wonderful as it would be if he had more weapons, it's up to him to make whatever he can of his situation.
Daniels knows this. He doesn't make excuses. People love to make excuses for him, because that's how it goes when you have a quarterback who is anointed as the franchise's savior. Â
He must be perfect, and if he is anything less, it always has to be someone else's fault. But where the third-year passer is concerned, it's a constant battle for growth.
There will be no shortage of things that need to go right for the Commanders' offense this season. Blough must be ready for the task after his rapid promotion from assistant quarterbacks coach through most of last year. Somebody besides Terry McLaurin is going to need to prove themselves as a reliable second option in the receiving game. And the offensive line must protect their franchise passer.
But at the end of the day, the biggest variable is the one behind center.
The Commanders' hopes for a return to the playoffs in 2026 will be determined by how Daniels responds to the harsh setbacks he faced last season.
And he must deliver.
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