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Commanders' Jayden Daniels will 'remind everyone' who he is in 2026

· Yahoo Sports

The Washington Commanders opened OTAs this week, and quarterback Jayden Daniels was back on the practice field. Daniels, who missed 10 games with various injuries in a disappointing 2025 season, is 100% healthy and looking for redemption.

With Daniels injured for much of last season, fellow second-year quarterbacks Drake Maye, Caleb Williams and Bo Nix had outstanding sophomore seasons. Daniels, who had been considered by some to already be a top-five quarterback ahead of last season, was now an afterthought. Out of sight, out of mind, it seemed.

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Washington fans didn't forget Daniels' spectacular rookie season. Daniels didn't just have a record-setting regular season; he carried the Commanders to two road wins in the NFC playoffs and into the NFC Championship Game. It was Washington's first championship game appearance in 33 years. When we say that Daniels put his team on his back, he often carried the Commanders in the playoffs. When Washington needed a third-down conversion, Daniels found a way to make it happen. Daniels was even better on fourth downs, converting at a record rate.

Most importantly, Daniels saved his best work for when it mattered the most: the fourth quarter. How impressive has Daniels been in the "money quarter" over the first two seasons of his NFL career? Consider this stat from a senior NFL researcher.

So, when the inevitable Eagles or Cowboys fan mentions how terrible Daniels was in 2025, the NFL Researcher hit them back with this:

The said fan was still not happy that his original response was found to be moot.

What some forget about Daniels is that he did more with less. Yes, he had Terry McLaurin in 2024, but the duo played together in only three games last season. And, for as good as the other three quarterbacks were in 2025, Daniels was far better in 2024. Did anyone catch Maye's performances throughout the playoffs, despite New England's run to the Super Bowl? Compare that to Daniels in 2024.

Speaking of fourth-quarter comebacks, Daniels had five during his rookie season. He set an NFL rookie record with 12 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime. Even more impressive, Daniels was the first rookie quarterback in 74 years to lead back-to-back double-digit comebacks. His Week 16 comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles was one of the best performances across the NFL in 2024. Daniels passed for five touchdowns, including the game-winner to Jamison Crowder with only seconds remaining. Daniels led the Commanders to the comeback win against the NFL's best defense despite five turnovers from Washington's offense.

How good can Daniels be in 2026? ESPN's Louis Riddick has a reminder.

The Commanders have a brutal stretch to open the 2026 regular season, but with a healthy Daniels under center, they are a threat to beat anyone on their schedule.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels out for redemption in 2026

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