Commanders can rest easy with Jayden Daniels as franchise QB

Jayden Daniels gives the Washington Commanders so much as their franchise quarterback.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 1, 2025

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) calls a play against the Dallas Cowboys / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

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Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders hadn't rostered a true franchise quarterback since Kirk Cousins, and even that was a bit of a stretch when he was starting in the nation's capital.

With Daniels now in the fold, Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton gave the Commanders a "1" for his quarterback panic meter.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Commanders need not to panic at quarterback

"Daniels put on a show last year. Between his game-winning drives and the well-deserved accolades, he had one of the best rookie seasons for a quarterback in NFL history," Moton writes.

"Within a year, the Washington Commanders went from a basement-dwelling dumpster fire to a Super Bowl contender. They beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions on the road before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

"Daniels had success similar to C.J. Stroud, who won the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but the LSU product's quick rise seems different because of his dynamic playmaking ability with his arm and legs.

"Because of Daniels' willingness to pick up yards on the ground, he's susceptible to big hits.

"Washington made a reasonable decision to re-sign Mariota, who saw some action while Daniels battled a rib injury in October and in the last week of the season."

The Commanders will look to continue building around Daniels at the NFL Draft later this month.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 offseason.

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Published Apr 1, 2025

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.