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Quarterback Jayden Daniels got hurt too many times last season, and the Washington Commanders capitulated.
Now, he's back, and he might be the most important player in the NFC East.
The Commanders come into the new campaign with a revamped roster. There is potential for the now and the future, but there are also several unknowns attached. But when push comes to shove, Daniels has the team's fortunes in the palm of his hand.
Nobody knows what they'll get out of Daniels, either.
Jayden Daniels could have a major say on the NFC East title race if he stays healthy
His 2024 rookie campaign was historic, littered with accolades as Washington reached the NFC Championship game. But after featuring just seven times in Year 2, and not exactly performing well when on the field, there are new doubters for Daniels to silence.
Daniels is uber-talented. He became an instant fan favorite. He carries himself extremely well, and his dynamic qualities can spearhead Washington's long-term renaissance. But if he cannot stay healthy, the Commanders have got a massive problem on their hands.
This was a topic discussed by former linebacker-turned-Good Morning Football analyst Manti Te'o. He thought there was nobody more important within the division than Daniels this season. And if the former LSU sensation manages to avoid the dreaded injury bug, the Commanders are not to be slept on.
It's a fair take.
Daniels has the skills to flip the Commanders' outlook on its head. He cannot do it alone, but he proved as a rookie that Washington will be highly competitive with even a modest supporting cast around him. And given this roster is probably better than the 2024 group on paper, head coach Dan Quinn's squad won't be an easy out if his franchise player is available.
If Daniels deals with more health issues, the Commanders' chances evaporate. It's that simple.
Every team relies heavily on its quarterback. Very few teams will be relying as heavily on their man under center as the Commanders.
Daniels is their heartbeat. He makes everything tick, leading by example and already proving his worth as an elite-level closer. Fans didn't get much of a chance to see that in 2025, but that's only made the dual-threat weapon even more determined to excel.
The NFC East should be much more competitive this season. One could make a case for any of the four teams winning it. But if the Commanders have Daniels healthy and firing on all cylinders, that will be enough to cause serious concern in New York, Dallas, and Philadelphia.
And potentially even beyond that.
As Te'o said, don't count out the Commanders if Daniels gets back to anything like his rookie form. And it would be a brave man to bet against him.
Today's best reads
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This article was originally published on riggosrag.com as NFC East rivals cannot escape the threat Jayden Daniels still poses.
