"When Washington made the NFC Championship game during Daniels' rookie year, the quarterback was spectacular. He could do no wrong. He made every game look easy, and the Commanders feasted on his positive vibes all year long. Then, the rude awakening came. Daniels got injured multiple times and often looked rattled even when he played."
"As a result, the Commanders' primary objective for 2026 should be to do a better job of protecting him. He also owes some responsibility in that regard himself. Jayden Daniels must also grow alongside Commanders' wholesale changes Everyone knows what Daniels is capable of, but with his size and playing style, the questions about his sustainability in the NFL are real."
"If he is as reckless as he was last year, he is not going to last long in this league. Thankfully, as NBC Sports insider JP Finlay points out via 106.7 The Fan, he's still young enough to grow out of it. "If there's one thing I'd like to see Jayden learn from Lamar (Jackson), it's that Lamar rarely gets hit. He doesn't take a lot of big shots, and I think Jayden, like Steve Young did, he took too many shots.""
""(Young) over time evolved from that, and I'd like to see in Year 3 some of that evolution from Jayden." Lamar Jackson has been considered one of the blueprints for Daniels from the start, given their similar dual-threat styles. The 2024 No. 2 overall pick is a far more advanced passer than the Baltimore Ravens star was at the same stage of his career, but he struggles with the same durability issues."
Washington’s turnaround prospects hinge on quarterback Jayden Daniels. During his rookie season, the team reached the NFC Championship and Daniels played at a high level, making games look easy. The following season brought injuries and visible rattling, which contributed to a decline. For 2026, the priority should be better protection for Daniels. Daniels also needs to improve his own approach to reduce unnecessary hits and risk. His size and style raise sustainability concerns, especially if he remains reckless. Comparisons to Lamar Jackson and Steve Young emphasize learning to avoid big shots and evolve over time, with Year 3 framed as a key opportunity for that development.
Read at riggosrag.com
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