Jayden Daniels is one of the most polarizing players in the NFL as he enters his crucial third season. In 2024, he had one of the greatest rookie campaigns by a quarterback in league history, leading the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship game. Last year, he was injured three different times, and the team went 5-12.
In a "What have you done for me lately?" world, Daniels still has everything to prove. Washington knows all too well what it's like to have an electric rookie who never measures up to that same standard again. But Commnaders fans should still have every reason to believe in the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.
Just take it from one of his new offensive weapons, who has only known Daniels for a matter of months.
Van Jefferson calls on Jayden Daniels to silence the noise with bold declaration
Van Jefferson has been well-traveled in the NFL, playing for four teams in six seasons. His signing with Washington is a last-ditch opportunity to stay in the league, as there's no guarantee he makes the Commanders' roster.
But he's yearning for the opportunity to catch passes from Daniels, who he has high expectations for in 2026 and beyond.
"He (Daniels) has the potential to be great. His running ability makes him exceptional, and I think with him learning from Coach Blough, he's going to be even better this year. "Van Jefferson
New #Commanders WR Van Jefferson with high praise for Jayden Daniels#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/Oz1PgZEoAP
— Denton Day (D-Day) (@TheDentonDay) June 9, 2026
2026 is going to be the most important season of Daniels' career. There were legitimate concerns about the star passer's play last fall, even while healthy. His accuracy tanked. He scrambled more and was less effective at it. After wowing audiences as a rookie with his effortless pocket poise, he looked panicked.
That's what happens when opposing defenses get tape on players. It happened to CJ Stroud. It happened to Robert Griffin III. It even happened to Lamar Jackson. The great ones, as is the case with the Baltimore Ravens' two-time Most Valuable Player, evolve their style of play into one that can sustain high-quality production in the NFL.
Daniels can do that. He will be in a new offense under David Blough, who comes from a coaching tree that should optimize his quarterback's strengths. He will establish the run game, which Kliff Kingsbury didn't. He will get creative with his sets. He'll let his quarterback use his dual-threat superpower as a utility, rather than out of desperation.
Everybody is counting on Daniels. It's his time to shine.
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