Jayden Daniels
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - AUGUST 23: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders watches from the sideline during the second half of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Northwest Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
One year can change everything. The biggest storyline heading into the Washington Commanders’ 2025 season is the rapid ascension of Jayden Daniels.
After flashing superstar potential as a rookie, the second-year quarterback now looks ready to shoulder the franchise’s long-term hopes. The Commanders entered ranked No. 11 in preseason power rankings from ESPN’s Mike Clay on Sunday.
Daniels’ dual-threat ability gives defenses headaches. He is dangerous enough to take the top off with his deep ball, yet efficient enough in short and intermediate throws to keep the chains moving.
As he enters Year 2, expectations are no longer about promise — they’re about production. Washington firmly believes it has its franchise quarterback, and Daniels has given every indication that he can deliver.
Commanders Support Arrives on Offense
The Commanders didn’t stop at banking on their young star. The front office added proven veterans to insulate Daniels and accelerate the growth of the offense. Bringing in Laremy Tunsil at left tackle and Deebo Samuel in the passing game might go down as the most important moves of the offseason.
“Second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels appears to be the real deal and can carry this team far, especially with more veterans on offense, such as left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel,” Clay wrote. “The defense remains a major red flag, but defensive mastermind Dan Quinn could again coach it into a competent unit.”
For years, Washington has struggled to protect its quarterbacks, but Tunsil’s presence instantly upgrades the offensive line and gives Daniels the kind of blindside security elite passers need.
Dan Quinn’s Challenge on Defense
If the offense represents hope, the defense is where skepticism lingers. Last season, Washington’s defense often found itself overmatched, struggling both against the pass and the run.
But head coach Dan Quinn has built a career out of coaching up defenses.
Expect Washington to lean heavily on pressure packages and situational disguise to cover up weaknesses on the back end. If he can squeeze just enough production from this group, the Commanders will be in every game they play.
At No. 11 in preseason power rankings, Washington is viewed as a team with playoff potential but still a step behind the elite contenders. The offense is ready to carry its share of the load, and Daniels’ development has energized a fan base that has waited years for a true franchise quarterback. The questions are almost entirely on the other side of the ball.
The good news is that Quinn doesn’t need this defense to be great. He just needs it to be competent. If that happens, the Commanders will be one of the most dangerous wild card teams in the NFC. The ceiling is even higher if the defense gels faster than expected.
Expectations in Washington haven’t been this high in years. With Daniels under center, Samuel adding playmaking juice, and Tunsil solidifying the line, the Commanders finally have the pieces in place to build something sustainable. The defense will determine whether they’re a playoff team or a true contender, but there’s no denying this franchise is trending upward.
For the first time in a long time, Washington feels like a team built for both the present and the future. If Daniels takes the leap everyone expects, the Commanders could end the season much higher than No. 11.