Jayden Daniels has come in for some unfair criticism over the last year. The Washington Commanders quarterback missed most of the 2025 campaign through injury, and fresh doubts have surfaced in the media about whether his slender physique can hold up long-term.
However, a panel of FanSided experts holds a different opinion of Daniels as he enters Year 3 of his professional career.
In the inaugural FanSided Quarterback Rankings, citing the opinions of site editors across the NFL division, each signal-caller around the league who made a roster was marked using a scale of 1-12. Daniels came in at No. 12, placing him firmly in the Strong QB1 category.
FanSided experts confirm what Commanders fans haven't stopped believing about Jayden Daniels
While Caleb Williams and Drake Maye were ahead of him, it's understandable. However, given Daniels was placed above the likes of Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Jalen Hurts, there is hope of a legitimate bounce-back campaign despite things not quite going according to plan in 2025.
I was asked to write something about Daniels for the interactive rankings. Here's what I came up with:
"Jayden Daniels was out of sight, out of mind during the 2025 season. He started seven games and finished four after a frustrating run of injuries, but there is a renewed purpose around Washington's main man this offseason as he looks to remind the league who he truly is.
"This is the best supporting cast Daniels has had in his NFL career so far. He's working with a new scheme designed around his exceptional gifts. And not even the memes around his dispute with LSU will stop what comes next."
This seems like a pretty fair reflection of where Daniels is before his third campaign in Washington.
Commanders' new offense can propel Jayden Daniels from forgotten-man status
Others took center stage while Daniels completed just four games last year. Not exactly what fans had in mind after his historic rookie campaign, but writing him off entirely is incredibly foolish.
And though the Commanders do have some concerns, there is quiet confidence in the building that the changes around the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner can have the desired effect.
The new offensive scheme is right at the top. David Blough was chosen as the man to replace Kliff Kingsbury. He's never called plays before, but he's built the system from the ground up with plenty of input from Daniels.
It's more in keeping with pro-style offenses. Daniels reportedly has complete command of it, and even without the availability of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil due to a torn triceps, the Commanders will always have a chance with their franchise player under center.
The additions of wide receiver Stefon Diggs, tight end Chig Okonkwo, running back Rachaad White, and third-round rookie pass-catcher Antonio Williams should help enormously. If the offensive line holds up and Daniels stays healthy, it's all systems go.
The NFL is a year-to-year league. Everyone knows it, and while that's made Daniels something of a forgotten figure, it also allows him to turn the page and remind the world why he took the pro ranks by storm in 2024.
If he can accomplish this, which seems entirely possible, the Commanders will be in excellent shape.
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