(Photo: Axios)
The Washington Commanders were the feel-good story of the 2024 NFL season. Dan Quinn was hired as the new head coach of the franchise, and the team held the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. With that pick, they selected Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU—and what a season he had in his first year in the NFL. He went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, which shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone, and he led the Commanders to within one game of the Super Bowl before they fell short against the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles. This year, however, it’s been an up-and-down season for Washington. Jayden has been in and out of the lineup with injuries, and last night against the Seattle Seahawks, he suffered a gruesome arm injury late in the game. Today, it was announced that Jayden dislocated his elbow and will miss the remainder of the year.
Now, don’t get me wrong—Jayden had a phenomenal rookie season, and some people were already calling him a top-five quarterback in the league. Let’s slow down a bit there! I’m a firm believer that a player has to show they can do it again the next year. I’ve always stood by the idea that rookies have an edge over defenses because there isn’t much film on them, and what they did in college doesn’t always translate directly to the NFL. As a player, I’ve watched Jayden grow—from his days at Arizona State, where he leaned more on his running ability, to his time at LSU, where he became a true dual-threat quarterback capable of attacking defenses with both his arm and his legs. As a pro, he’s shown he can do it all: command the offense, push the ball downfield, contribute in designed runs, and display his impressive athleticism. Jayden has an incredible ability to extend plays, and he’s extremely elusive when he leaves the pocket. Beyond his physical gifts, it’s his poise that stood out last season. He carried himself like a veteran, and whenever his team needed him in clutch moments, he delivered. I’ve always admired his demeanor—he plays with confidence, believes he can make every play, and always wants to put his team in the best position to win. I watched him lead the Commanders past the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round this past January and into the NFC Championship Game.
Unfortunately, this season has been a different story. Jayden has battled multiple injuries, and this latest arm injury is especially tough to see. My biggest question is: why was he still playing late in that game when the outcome was already decided? That’s the first thing I’d ask Dan Quinn if I were in the room with him. I’ve also seen many people compare this situation to Robert Griffin III’s injury—and, coincidentally, that also happened against the Seahawks. History does have a funny way of repeating itself. It’s been a disappointing year for the Commanders, and this injury to their quarterback only sets them back further. I’m wishing Jayden a full and speedy recovery.
