PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 26: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs off the field after being sacked on a fourth down while playing the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Washington Commanders are entering the 2025 NFL season with a renewed sense of optimism, and much of that excitement centers on their quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
After a standout campaign, Daniels didn’t just flash potential last year; he delivered. As the Offensive Rookie of the Year and seventh in MVP voting, he threw for over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding nearly 900 rushing yards and six more scores on the ground.
His dual-threat capability made him one of the league’s most dynamic young quarterbacks. But success in Year One often leads to the dreaded sophomore slump, where defenses adjust and the pressure mounts.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has been vocal about Daniels’ growth during the spring and early offseason workouts.
“This spring, Daniels looked even more decisive, and coaches stressed the details of his game such as footwork, ESPN’s John Keim wrote Thursday. “You can see the comfort level was there this year,” said offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in late May. “Just watching him move around, he’s not thinking as much, he’s playing fast and letting his natural gifts kind of take over, and that’s what we want to see. So, I expect him to take a big jump.”
A quarterback who hesitates or second-guesses can cost his team yards, points, and ultimately games. Daniels is working on fine-tuning his footwork, pre-snap reads, and timing with his receivers, all in an effort to speed up his decision-making process and reduce mistakes.
The Commanders’ commitment to coaching continuity can’t be overstated. In a league where coordinator changes are common and can disrupt a player’s rhythm, Washington retained its entire offensive staff, including Kingsbury. That stability means Daniels won’t have to learn a new system or adjust to new playcalling voices mid-season.
Instead, he can build on last year’s foundation, perfect what worked, and improve on what didn’t. For a young quarterback, that kind of consistency can fast-track development.
Defensively, the Commanders still have some holes to fill, especially when it comes to stopping the run. Last season, the Eagles exposed this weakness, rushing for over 200 yards in their three meetings.
The Commanders responded by adding size and experience to their defensive line, bringing in veterans like Eddie Goldman and Javon Kinlaw to help plug gaps and set the tone up front. They also invested in their secondary, drafting cornerback Trey Amos in the second round to help create turnovers—something the defense sorely lacked last year.
The NFC East has never been an easy division, and this year looks especially fierce. The reigning champion Eagles are hungry to prove last season wasn’t a fluke, the Cowboys are always lurking with big moves and playoff ambitions, and the Giants, fresh off drafting quarterback Jaxson Dart, hope to surprise. The Commanders, riding the momentum of a breakout season and with a more experienced Daniels at the helm, are in prime position to shake up the division.
Much of the league will be watching Daniels closely to see if he can avoid the sophomore slump and continue his upward trajectory. Early signs are promising: his improved decisiveness, comfort in the pocket, and ability to make quick decisions should translate to fewer turnovers and more sustained drives. That’s exactly what the Commanders need to make a deeper playoff run.
Ultimately, this offseason has been about refinement and growth for Daniels and the Commanders. They’re not rebuilding; they’re building on a foundation laid last season.
If Daniels can continue to evolve into a quarterback who plays fast and smart, Washington could go from NFC East underdog to genuine contender.
