In terms of expectations vs. reality, what the Washington Commanders put on the field in 2025 was truly something to behold.
The Commanders went into the season as Super Bowl contenders after making a run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. They left with the impression they might be 1 of the worst teams in the NFL after a 5-12 regular season.
That downfall was reflected in ESPN’s annual position rankings, where Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was bumped from the Top 10, going from No. 5 headed into the 2025 season to an honorable mention selection in 2026.
The rankings, as voted on by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, still doled out some praise for Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I know he was hurt (in 2025), but I think this is the year he really makes his stamp and he’s the guy we’re all talking about as having taken the next step,” one anonymous NFL executive told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “Such a good decision-maker and very accurate.”
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen took the No. 1 spot. Only 1 quarterback from the NFC East Division made the Top 10, with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott at No. 6, and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts landing in the honorable mentions alongside Daniels.
Jayden Daniels No Longer Seems Like Top-Tier QB
One year ago, Daniels was being talked about as a dark horse NFL MVP candidate.
You won’t hear any of that talk headed into 2026.
Once considered the very best of the 6 quarterbacks selected in the 1st round in 2024, Daniels now finds himself looking up at Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Bo Nix — even after Nix’s fractured ankle — and just ahead of 2 quarterbacks who probably won’t even start for their teams this season in J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport believes the injury issues that led to Daniels missing 10 regular-season games in 2025 will resurface in 2026.
“Jayden Daniels’ first two seasons have been polar opposites,” Davenport wrote on June 27. “The first was outstanding — over 3,500 passing yards, 25 passing scores, the second-most rushing yards among quarterbacks in the league (891). Last year, however, was far different. Daniels’ per-game passing numbers fell precipitously just about across the board and Daniels played in just seven games due to knee and elbow injuries. Frankly, Daniels’ downturn in passing efficiency and the lack of a big-time additions to the Washington passing game may be the biggest concerns of all with the youngster this year. Daniels averaged almost 30 fewer passing yards per game last year compared to 2024. If that’s the case, there will be that much more pressure on Daniels to do damage with his legs. And it could be just a matter of time before he lands on the shelf again.”
Massive Payday Might Not Hit for Jayden Daniels
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti put out a list of the projected “Next Man Up” contracts at every NFL position — meaning the next contracts to reset the market at every position.
After 2024, it was impossible to think Daniels would be left off the list. Now, it’s Maye and Williams who are getting the elite-level predictions — contracts that could pay them around $65 million per year. Maye was just the NFL MVP runner-up and led his team to the Super Bowl. Williams put the Bears on his back and lifted them to an NFC North Division title and the NFC Divisional Round.
While Daniels could very well play his way back into a market-setting contract, it doesn’t look good. The Commanders are no longer an attractive destination for free agents — mainly because head coach Dan Quinn enters his 3rd season firmly on the hot seat and doesn’t seem like he has a great chance at being back in 2027.
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