The Washington Commanders exploded onto the scene last season in a way few, if any, saw coming.
Now QB Jayden Daniels is saying that the offense has taken a significant step forward from Year 1 to Year 2 in his tenure and that of coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Daniels, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 after Washington made him the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft, spoke with media members on Thursday, July 31, about the evolution of the unit.
“Just being more comfortable in the offense, another year under my belt under the system. I understand what Kliff is calling and what we want to accomplish as an offense,” Daniels said. “I got different tools in my tool belt to get to different protections, to get to different runs vs. certain looks. Most definitely night and day.”
Jayden Daniels’ Second Year Could Prove Mixed Bag, as He Progresses but Defenses Catch Up
GettyQuarterback Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders.
Second-year players in the NFL, and most specifically quarterbacks, often struggle through a sophomore slump. A big part of that is the increased familiarity opponents have at their disposal.
Every team in the NFC East saw Daniels twice last season, while several others across the NFC caught at least one glimpse of him. That could mean more struggles for Daniels in the upcoming campaign, while growing pains were his primary issue early on in his rookie year.
That said, Daniels and Kingsbury clearly plan to open up the offense, continuing the evolution Daniels displayed from his first six or seven contests compared to his play down the stretch. That should mean the Commanders introduce more elements this season that their primary opponents haven’t seen yet and have no game tape to reference.
As a rookie, Daniels produced 3,568 passing yards, 25 TDs and nine INTs. He also rushed the football for 891 yards and six scores on his way to finishing seventh in MVP voting.
Commanders’ Contract Negotiations With Terry McLaurin Represent Dark Cloud Over Offense
Getty|Wide receiver Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders.
Another key element to the Commanders’ long-term success is finding resolution with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin is seeking a new contract following his second Pro-Bowl season in three years and his first All-Pro selection (second-team) in 2024. He has posted five consecutive campaigns of over 1,000 yards receiving and is among the most consistent producers in the league. McLaurin also tallied a career-high 13 TD receptions last year.
However, Washington doesn’t see his value in quite the same financial terms as McLaurin views it, which ESPN’s Adam Schefter explained during a July 28 appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“I would say that DK Metcalf was in the same draft class as Terry McLaurin. He got about $33 million a year. I wouldn’t think Terry wants to take less than that, and I think he wants considerably more than that,” Schefter said. “[The Commanders] love and value Terry McLaurin, but they love and value him at a different price. These two sides right now seem apart on a deal. They don’t seem close today, and I don’t know how they’re going to get that resolved.”
McLaurin, who will turn 30 during the season, is entering the final year of his $68.4 million deal in 2025.
