Jayden Daniels
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A former Washington Commanders QB is making a shock comeback after Jayden Daniels took a risk.
Seeing Jayden Daniels playing here, there and everywhere during an offseason exhibition of flag football probably had almost everyone connected to the Washington Commanders nervous, but one former prominent quarterback for the franchise was inspired enough to get involved by making a shock comeback.
Robert Griffin III announced on ‘X’ late on Saturday, March 21 he “will be going for Gold in Flag Football with the USA National Team in 2028. The journey starts now and there is no greater honor than wearing USA across your chest and representing something more than yourself. USA! USA! USA!”
Robert Griffin III
Proud and Honored to announce that I will be going for Gold in Flag Football with the USA National Team in 2028. The journey starts now and there is no greater honor than wearing USA across your chest and representing something more than yourself. USA! USA! USA!
Griffin, who was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading Washington to the NFC East title and the playoffs in 2012, timed his announcement perfectly. It came after Daniels and a cadre of top NFL stars playing for a ‘Founders’ team put together by seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, were soundly beaten by the U.S. national team.
The one-sided nature of the Flag Football Classic event in Los Angeles was summed up by Team USA winning “by a combined score of 82-27,” per Yahoo! Sports.
Yahoo Sports
Team USA, a roster of pro flag football players, just beat two teams of NFL pros by a combined score of 82-27 😳
While the scoreline was unflattering to Daniels and the other pros involved, it did endorse Griffin’s take about the differences in the flag game and its overall quality. Hardly any of the NFL stars who participated could match this quality, but Daniels at least earned some positive reviews, despite the criticism of his involvement.
Robert Griffin III Timing Comeback Perfectly
Griffin pulled no punches when outlining the disparity between proponents of the pro game and those who make a speciality of playing flag football. As the Heisman Trophy winner and former second-overall draft pick put it, “Flag Football and NFL Football are different disciplines. If an NFL Player wants to represent the USA at the Olympics in 2028, they need to entrench themselves in the Flag Football world over the next 2 years.”
Robert Griffin III
Flag Football and NFL Football are different disciplines. If an NFL Player wants to represent the USA at the Olympics in 2028, they need to entrench themselves in the Flag Football world over the next 2 years.
Getting up to speed will be a challenge, but Griffin is at least willing to lean into the daunting task. He’ll be active again for the first time since the curtain came down on his NFL career following the 2021 season, after a stint as a backup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Injuries took a quick and heavy toll on Griffin and his awesome dual-threat skills. Notably, the torn ACL and LCL he suffered in his only playoff start for Washington, against the Seattle Seahawks, steadily robbed Griffin of his mobility. Yet his core athletic traits and muscle memory could make the 36-year-old ideal for flag football.
The sport prizes track speed and elusiveness at the quarterback position, qualities Griffin once embodied. Daniels shares the same traits and he offered a timely reminder of his skills, even if the Commanders might’ve preferred he’d done it in a less risky environment.
Jayden Daniels Offered Commanders Cause for Optimism and Worry
Daniels has long been identified as a worthy candidate for flag football duty at the Olympics, and he showed why at BMO Stadium. This long touchdown throw to All-Pro Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams showed Daniels has the arm strength to dominate this game.
There was more to come from Daniels, who proved his mobility is intact with this weaving dash for a two-point conversion. The run was just one part of a performance that prompted Grant Cohn of 49ers On SI to state “Jayden Daniels and Saquon Barkley were the only NFL players who belonged on the field with the US men’s national team today.”
Daniels certainly put in enough effort to show he belonged. His efforts even included playing some wide receiver, a decision that left 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen to again question what the Commanders made of their franchise QB1 putting himself at risk of injury.
Paulsen bluntly proclaimed, “Last thing I’ll say about this but Jayden Daniels is playing receiver, running routes, juking guys. The other team is playing like it’s an NFL playoff game. Biggest day of their careers. There have been collisions. I just can’t believe the Commanders are cool with this.”
Grant Paulsen
Last thing I’ll say about this but Jayden Daniels is playing receiver, running routes, juking guys. The other team is playing like it’s an NFL playoff game. Biggest day of their careers. There have been collisions.
I just can’t believe the Commanders are cool with this.
There are legitimate concerns for the Commanders after Daniels suffered multiple injuries last season, including a dislocated elbow. The wear and tear was blamed, in part, on Daniels’ over-eagerness to run when under pressure.
Exposing himself to more broken and open-field running was a risk Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and new offensive coordinator David Blough might prefer their star asset didn’t take.
Griffin’s ill-fated NFL career is a cautionary tale about the risks of being overly mobile at football’s most important position. Flag football at least gives him a route back to competitive action, but his old team would surely rather Daniels waits until he conquers the pros before going the same route.