Jayden Daniels Draft
Getty
Jayden Daniels was selected second overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft, following a Heisman-winning season at LSU.
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters has been on a mission this offseason. Following the team’s disappointing 2025 campaign, Peters was adamant about adding younger game-changing players for next season. So far, that sentiment has rang true.
Peters might have been themost active front office member throughout the first week of NFL free agency. The Commanders have signed13 new contracts so far this offseason. They have also been involved in several othernegotiations for big-name players, including Alec Pierce, Romeo Doubs, and Trey Hendrickson.
Now that Peters has addressed several areas of need through free agency, the focus turns to the 2026 NFL Draft. Among the areas of concern that still need to be addressed, the quarterback was not expected to be one of them; however, one ESPN insider suggested that perhaps it should be.
ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler Links Washington Commanders to QB Ty Simpson
Ty Simpson Stats
GettyAlabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and 35 touchdowns last season.
Commanders’ news outletRiggo’s Rag highlighted some controversial and surprising comments ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler made on rumors he’s heard about the Commanders’ potential draft plans. When discussing Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson onESPN’sGet Up, Fowler noted Washington as an unexpected team in the mix.
“I’m hearing of some wildcards. The Washington Commanders? Do they need help with Jayden Daniels’ durability issues? It’s a wild card, but this team is coming up in conversations,” Fowler said.
Simpson is NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s40th-ranked draft prospect and widely viewed as the second-best quarterback behind Fernando Mendoza. If the Commanders truly are ‘coming up in conversations’ for Simpson, that suggests that he could be their first-round or second-round selection.
Commanders fans have widely scrutinized these claims; a monumental shift of this nature seems highly unlikely.
The only reason this prediction holds any merit is because of the way last season unfolded.
Jayden Daniels Availability Called into Question Following Down-Year
Jayden Daniels Stats
GettyJayden Daniels threw for 3,568 yards, rushed for 891 yards, and scored 31 total touchdowns in 2024.
Jayden Daniels played in only seven games last season. He suffered a myriad of injuries, including a rather gruesomeelbow dislocation on national television. Daniels’ repeated absence last year is the basis for any quarterback speculation. However, suggesting that the Commanders could look to pivot only a year after an NFC Championship game appearance is outlandish. Daniels’ 2024 rookie of the year campaign levied expectations for the Commanders to be Super Bowl contenders, and those expectations shouldn’t dissipate because of one down year.
However, caution is advised, and the Commanders have already taken steps to protect themselves for the future. Washington re-signed backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to aone-year, $7 million contract at the start of free agency to ensure a veteran presence in case of emergency.
They also moved on fromoffensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and hiredformer assistant quarterbacks coachDavid Blough as a replacement. This move was shocking at first, given Kingsbury’s success with Daniels throughout his short pro tenure. However, it was made with Daniels’ future in mind.
Kingsbury’s development plan for Daniels reportedly differed from that of head coach Dan Quinn and GM Adam Peters. They preferred to help Daniels’ game evolve through a more pro-style offense, which would place him under center more and not rely so heavily on the run-pass-option. Not that this will no longer be an element of Washington’s offensive approach, but relying on it less limits Daniels’ rushing attempts, thus keeping him out of harm’s way more.
It remains to be seen how the Commanders will roll out all their new pieces, both on the roster and in the coaching staff, but their proactive approach makes it clear that they are prepared to compete next season.