Washington Commanders Aim for Stronger Season with Jayden Daniels

The Washington Commanders are focused on improving after a challenging 5-12 season that was marred by injuries to their starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Daniels, now in his third season, was the second pick for the Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft, following Caleb Williams. Despite a promising rookie year where he played in all 17 games and nearly took the team to the Super Bowl, last season was less successful for Daniels. He played in only seven games, achieving a 2-5 record.

As the new season approaches, Daniels has recovered and is ready. The Commanders have introduced a significant change to his playing style. They are focusing on having Daniels huddle more frequently with the offense, a strategy he’s not used to in his NFL career so far. According to The Athletic, the Commanders were under center only 32% of the time with Daniels, which is significantly below the NFL median of 82%.

Head coach Dan Quinn has expressed satisfaction with Daniels’ adaptation to this new approach. Footage from a GoPro cam during practice revealed Daniels’ growing comfort in the huddle. Quinn noted Daniels’ ability to remain calm and composed under pressure, describing him as a steady influence when the team faces chaos on the field.

This adjustment in offensive tactics could offer multiple benefits. It might protect Daniels from many of the hits he received last season, which resulted in several injuries, including a dislocated elbow, a knee sprain, and a hamstring strain. Additionally, using the huddle more could help the Commanders avoid unnecessary timeouts, a problem they faced frequently last year.

This strategic shift coincides with the appointment of a new offensive coordinator, David Blough. Previously the assistant quarterbacks coach, Blough now replaces Kliff Kingsbury, who held the OC position in 2025. Blough is expected to provide valuable information to Daniels during huddles, enhancing their effectiveness.

As Daniels works on incorporating the huddle into his routine, he is still deciding on his huddle posture, considering standing, hunching over, or taking a knee. Decisions will need to be made soon with the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles set for Sunday, Sept. 13. Observers will be watching to see if these changes lead to improved performance compared to the last season.