Jayden Daniels has a massive year ahead. The Washington Commanders are expecting big things from the quarterback after a frustrating 2025 campaign, and one former front-office executive-turned-respected analyst shares that view.
Nothing much went right for Daniels in Year 2. Injuries plagued the signal-caller's hopes of cementing his status among the NFL's elite. He played seven games and finished just four. The Commanders completely capitulated without him, but general manager Adam Peters believes it's all systems go again.
Daniels has been working exceptionally hard throughout the offseason to hone his craft and get back to full health. He's heard the doubts around his durability, and the former LSU standout wants to silence his new critics. Operating in a more pro-style scheme under David Blough should help, but the supporting cast must also live up to their end of the bargain.
Louis Riddick outlines complete faith in Jayden Daniels to spearhead Commanders' bounce back
During a conversation with Scott Abraham of 7News DC, ESPN analyst Louis Riddick outlined his complete faith in Daniels. The slate has been wiped clean. The injuries have gone for now, and if the same trend continues, the league is about to find out just how special the dual-threat weapon is.
"He's a franchise quarterback. He's as simple as that. This is the dude, and he's shown you that. It's nothing but injuries that really derailed him. Jayden Daniels hasn't lost a lick of anything in terms of what ultimately he has in his bag to make him one of the very best quarterbacks in the NFL.
"I expect him to return to that, provided his health is fine, and everything else around him doesn't just fall apart, which I don't anticipate."
ESPN’s Louis Riddick discusses the upcoming season for Commanders' quarterback Jayden Daniels.#washingtoncommanders #jaydendaniels #commanders #football #quarterback #nfl pic.twitter.com/84b6cF9biu
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) May 4, 2026
Nobody in Washington has lost any semblance of faith about where Daniels could potentially take the franchise. His rookie exploits alone give him the benefit of the doubt. And as Riddick said, his complications last time around were not really performance-related.
Daniels was hurt. He tried valiantly to play through the ailments, but it wasn't enough. The supporting cast also suffered significant depletions, including wide receiver Terry McLaurin's prolonged absence. Those mitigating circumstances were simply too much to overcome, but there is no point in looking back.
The Commanders are focused on what comes next. While there are still some worries about the standard of Daniels' supporting cast, especially in the receiver room, the signs are pointing up. And if the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year does get a better run on the health front, Washington's fortunes will instantly improve.
Something that will also make Daniels a very wealthy man this time next year, when he becomes extension-eligible.
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