Jayden Daniels Gets Honest About Lost 2025 Season

The Washington Commanders were the surprise of the 2024 season when the team cruised to a 12-5 record and an appearance in the NFC title game.

Just a year later, the team suffered the inverse, a 5-12 record, and didn’t make the playoffs. The biggest reason for the dropoff was star quarterback Jayden Daniels playing in only seven games because of multiple injuries to his knee, hamstring and his left elbow.

Daniels threw for only 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. It wasn’t the follow-up he wanted after being named the NFL‘s Offensive Rookie of the Year for his 2024 season.

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“It left a bitter taste in my mouth,” Daniels said of last season. “I mean, it sucked. … [It was] a miserable feeling to not go out and do what I do on a daily basis and having setbacks.”

In addition to having a healthy Daniels back on the field, the Commanders offense will look a bit different in 2026 after the team moved on from Kliff Kingsbury and hired David Blough as offensive coordinator.

“I love the offense, I love what Blough is doing,” Daniels said, “love how he’s creating and designing different things.

“It’s awesome to see his creative mind; we’re building this thing together.”

Washington will face a tough test in its first game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 12:57 PM.