Jayden Daniels will be the key to the Washington Commanders' success in 2026.
What happened?
The Commanders selected Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and he exceeded expectations, taking the team to their first NFC Championship game in over 30 years.
His sophomore season was cut short due to injuries, but he has been active in the offseason and will be fully available for training camp next month.
Why it matters for Jayden Daniels
If Jayden Daniels is healthy, the Commanders could be right back in NFC contention, and his performance can drastically alter the team's entire season.
In 2024, Daniels put together one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in league history, but he was limited to seven games last season due to injury.
What comes next?
The Commanders desperately need Jayden Daniels to be back in top form in 2026, and FOX Sports' Ben Arthur named him as the team's X-factor this season.
If Daniels can perform in 2026 the way he did in 2024, the Commanders will be well on their way to making the postseason, and they even have a shot at winning the NFC East.
The team looks improved on paper, and it seems like Daniels is back to his normal self, but the real test will come when the season starts this fall.
One thing is certain, though: if the Commanders are going to be successful, then Jayden Daniels must be successful first.
The Commanders' success in 2026 hinges on Jayden Daniels' ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level, and fans will be watching closely to see if he can lead the team back to the postseason.